Coffee, a Healthy Start to Your Day

Coffee for years has been considered an evil drink responsible for every illness from heart disease to cancer; at least 19,000 studies over the past several years have proven quite the opposite. Research coming out of Harvard, Norway and Switzerland found no connection between the consumption of coffee and heart disease or any other disease for that matter. Great news for those of us who love our daily cup of coffee drinking up to six cups a day can reduce your risk of heart disease, Alzheimer’s disease, inflammation and Parkinson’s just to name a few of coffee’s benefits.

Coffee beans contain over 1,000 antioxidants and the roasting process can add hundreds more. The American Journal Of Clinical Nutrition reports that a typical serving of coffee contains more antioxidants than typical servings of grape juice, blueberries, raspberries and oranges. How much coffee a day you can drink to reap the benefits is still not clear but I think it is safe to say a couple of cups a day may be much more beneficial than a multi-vitamin.

I think it is becoming very obvious that it is man’s supermarket that creates disease not nature’s supermarket.

Low Fat Diets Lead To Malnutrition

Hear the word malnutrition and chances are your mind’s eye produces an image of a third world child lacking the energy to even swat the flies circling their bodies. With approximately 2/3s of our countries population overweight, many of them obese, it may not occur to many of you that we are a nation suffering from malnutrition.

For thirty years you have been lead to believe the key to disease prevention is a low fat diet. The low fat message has been taken to such an extreme that many of you have attempted to cut all fat out of your diet. When the fat content in your diet is too low it is difficult to eat enough food to get all the needed nutrients.

8 Reasons Why Fat is a Necessary Nutrient

1. Fat provides energy: Fat provides back-up energy if blood sugar runs out(after 4 to 6 hrs. without eating).

2. You eat less food less often: Fat in your diet can actually help you lose weight. You need less food to fell satisfied and you do not feel the need to eat as often.

3. Prevents omega 3 fatty acid deficiency: Omega 3 fatty acids regulate the inflammation that leads to heart disease, strokes, diabetes and depression.

4. Necessary for the absorption of vitamins A, D, E and K: Vitamins A, D, E and K are fat soluble vitamins which mean your body can not absorb these vitamins without the aid of fat.

5. Fat builds healthy cells: Fats are a vital part of the membrane that surrounds each cell of your body. Without a healthy cell membrane, the rest of the cell couldn’t function.

6. Fat builds healthy brains: Fatty acids create the specialized brain cells that help you think.

7. Fat forms a protective cushion for your organs: Many of the vital organs, especially the kidneys, heart and intestines, are cushioned by fat that  helps protect them from injury and holds them in place.

8. Fat keeps your heart healthy: Fats keep your heart beating at a regular rhythm; 60% of your heart’s energy comes from buring fat.

Malnutrition develops when the body does not get the right amount of vitamins, minerals and other nutrients it needs to maintain healthy tissue and organ function. Your body does not recognize the difference between not eating enough food and eating too much of the wrong kind of food. 

Is Juice a Health Drink?

We all know that fruit protects our health but do we get the same value from fruit juice? Medical Plants Expert, Navindra Seeram, from The University of Rhode Island says no.

Plants protect their seeds from the enviroment and predators by putting a lot of natural compounds into the outermost layer of their fruit. When the skins and seeds are removed during processing so are the protectors.Juices retain less than 50% of the bioactive compounds; Luke Howard, of The University of Arkansas, states that some studies have shown as little as 20%.

The bottom line is when ever possible pass on the juice and eat a piece of fruit (fresh or frozen). 

Center For Science in the Public Interest

Save The Skin

From Prevention – The Power Of The Peel

Quote: “When you squeeze a lemon (or peel an orange), save the skin. Scientist at  De- Montfort University in the United Kingdom found that a compound in tangerine peel called salvestrol Q40 kills an enzyme that spurs the growth of human cancer cells. Previous research has shown that limonene, a compound found in lemon, orange, and grapefruit peel, might also decrease cancer risk.

Prevention suggest that you zest the peel of the well washed fruit and add it to soups, baked goods, tea, or yogurt.  

A Small Seed with a Powerful Punch

Flax Seed: Chances are this little seed has been around since time began, records show it was used for its health benefits in Ancient Greece and Rome. Although after the fall of the Roman Empire the use of flax seed was discontinued until Charlemagne came to power. He is credited with restoring the use of flax seed in Europe and it was introduced to North America in the 17th century; Canada is now one of the worlds leading producers.

There are three reasons flax seed are beneficial to your health

1. Contains alpha – linolenic acid - this makes it the best vegetable source of omega – 3 fatty acids. 2 tblsps. is 140% of your daily recommended intake.
2. High in fiber.
3. Contains lignans, which are phytoestiogens that mimic the body’s estrogen hormone.

It may surprise you to know that in North America 95% of the people are not getting enough fat – the omega-3 fatty acids that is. Without the high quality fats your body will fall apart.

1. Essential fats (this means your body can not produce these fats you have to consume them) boost energy, stamina and performance 
2. Can reduce inflammation
3. Prevents excessive blod clots 
4. Lower blood cholesterol
5. Keep your cell structure healthy
6. Prevents hardening of the arteries

This list of health benefits is long.

Many believe ground flax seed is superior to oil because nutrients as well as fiber (28%) are lost during processing.

Flax seed comes both in brown and golden colors, there is no real nutritional difference. Some people just like the taste of the golden flax seed better(it taste a little nuttier and sweeter).

1. Store flax seed in your fridge until ready to use.
2. Grind only the amount you will use in two or three days; store in an air tight container in your fridge. A small coffee grinder is perfect to grind flax seed. 
3. If you are using the oil do not heat 
4. If the flax seed smells like paint they are no longer good to use.
5. Flax seed must be ground before you eat them or they will just pass through your system.

Remember, a little quality fat is a good thing. 

  Source: Dr. Victor Marchione – The Food Doctor