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A close up of a cup of cappuccino on a saucer on a table.
October 19, 2017
Aside from plain water, coffee and tea are the most enjoyed beverages around the world. Both have things in them that may help your health, and they’re an excuse to get together with a friend — that can be good for you, too.
A person is holding a pile of sprinkles in their hands.
October 15, 2017
Too much sugar isn’t just bad for your teeth. It can harm your liver, too. The organ uses one type of sugar, called fructose, to make fat. Too much refined sugar and high-fructose corn syrup causes a fatty buildup that can lead to liver disease. Some studies show that sugar can be as damaging to the liver as alcohol, even if you’re not overweight. It’s one more reason to limit foods with added sugars, such as soda, pastries, and candy. How many teaspoons of sugar does the average American eat and drink every day? Answer: 22 Talk about a sweet tooth. We eat and drink 20 teaspoons — or almost half a cup — of added sugar each day. That’s way more than the American Heart Association recommends: 6 teaspoons per day for women and 9 for men. Our sweets add up: The average American eats about 152 pounds of sugar in just one year. Added sugars include all kinds of sugars and syrups that are put in a product during processing to make it taste better. They have little nutritional value other than giving you extra calories. Which of these sweeteners comes from a plant leaf? Answer: Stevia Stevia sweeteners are made from the leaf of the stevia plant. They can be as much as 300 times sweeter than regular sugar, but have zero calories. For a sweetener, stevia often can have a bitter aftertaste. Because the stevia leaf has to be processed to make the sweetener, some question whether stevia really can be called all natural. On food labels, the amount of sugar is listed in grams. What’s 1 gram of sugar? Answer: 1/4 teaspoon Think about a teaspoon of sugar. That’s what about 4 grams of sugar looks like. A 12-ounce can of regular cola has about 39 grams — or 9 teaspoons — of sugar! Want a low-sugar option? Add only a teaspoon of sugar to iced tea and that’s only 4 grams of sugar. Or drink diet soda or unsweetened tea for zero sugar. You’re born with a sweet tooth. Answer: True Humans are hardwired to prefer sweet from birth. Sugars are a type of carbohydrate. When we eat carbs, they stimulate the release of the feel-good brain chemical serotonin. Most brain cells are influenced in some way by serotonin. This includes brain cells related to mood, sexual function, sleep, memory and learning, and appetite. No wonder sweet things make us feel so good. What is table sugar? Answer: Sucrose Each “ose” – indicates some type of sugar. But sucrose is the sugar found in the greatest concentration in sugarcane (a type of tall grass) and sugar beets (a root). And that’s where our table sugar comes from. Lactose is the natural sugar in milk. Sucralose is an artificial sweetener. Eating too much sugar can cause diabetes. Answer: False Type 1 diabetes is genetic and triggered by unknown causes. Type 2 diabetes is caused by genetics and lifestyle factors, but not sugar specifically. However, being overweight and eating a high-calorie diet — which often includes a lot of added sugar — can raise your risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
A nurse is giving a pregnant woman a massage in a hospital room.
October 15, 2017
What is Colon Hydrotherapy?
A close up of a plate of food with mussels and noodles
October 14, 2017
You’ll want to consider what’s in the dish, how it was cooked, freshness, and the type of fish. There are lots of good choices, but some are better than others. You’ll want to limit cream, oil, salt, “bad” fats, and mercury. Do you know what’s in your seafood entree? It’s a nutritional darling that you’ll see on many U.S. menus. It’s high in healthy omega-3 fatty acids. And as a canned fish, it generally has less mercury than tuna. Wild salmon caught in Alaska is a good source, whether fresh or canned. Because fatty fish like salmon can have more of banned chemicals called PCBs, it helps if you cut away or drain extra fat, skin, and darker meat. Broiled Swordfish No matter how it’s caught or how you cook it, swordfish is likely to have high levels of mercury. It’s not a big deal to eat once in a while, but too much can damage your brain and kidneys. If you’re pregnant, that may hurt the baby or cause a miscarriage. Infants, the elderly, and those who have weak immune systems may be more sensitive to it. Shark, king mackerel and tilefish from the Gulf of Mexico also have high levels of mercury. Fish and Chips The fact that everything in this dish is deep-fried is not a good start. The tartar sauce and ketchup often served with it add even more fat, sugar, and calories. If you bake the fish (try it with a cornflake crust for a crunch) and potatoes, you can control the amount of oil. A simple lemon wedge is a low-calorie way to add flavor. Sushi It can be good for you, with lean protein, omega-3s, and not a lot of fat, sugar, and calories. But there are some drawbacks. Raw fish needs expert handling. Bacteria and parasites don’t get cooked away, but a good chef knows how to keep you safe. And mercury in common sushi fish like ahi and bluefin tuna can start to add up if you eat too much. Boston Clam Chowder Sure, it’s got clams, which give you protein. But this soup also has cream, butter, and salted pork. So you could get lots of calories, saturated fat, and sodium, which many people need to limit. Save this one for a special treat and try not to have too much. And you may want to try the “other” clam chowder: Manhattan. Manhattan Clam Chowder Instead of butter and cream, this chowder uses a base of tomatoes. That’s a really good start. Potatoes, carrots, and onions fill out the dish. It adds up to about 90 calories a cup with little saturated fat, compared with around 220 calories a cup for the same amount of Boston clam chowder. Mercury is not usually a worry with “bivalve” shellfish like mussels, oysters, and clams. Shrimp Cocktail It’s all about the sauce. The shrimp are usually steamed or boiled, which is pretty healthy. They’re high in protein, and low in fat and mercury. But the sauce, especially the classic bottled tomato-based type, can hide lots of sugar, sometimes listed as “high-fructose corn syrup.” So skip the dip, or make your own sugar-free version. You’ll find lots of recipes online. Salad With Anchovies Because they’re small and don’t live that long, these fish are less likely to have mercury, PCBs, and other chemicals in their flesh. And they’re loaded with omega-3 fatty acids that your body needs to be at its best. Some packaged anchovies have a lot of salt, so check the label, especially if you have to watch your sodium. Look for white anchovies in vinegar — “boquerones” in Spanish cuisine — for a less-salty version. Canned Tuna Tuna grow bigger than fish like sardines and anchovies. So they often have more mercury and other chemicals in their flesh. On the plus side, tuna is lean, gives you protein, and has some omega-3s. For lower mercury levels, look for the “canned light” kind. If you like albacore, look for products from the U.S. or Canada. If you’re watching your calories and fat, buy tuna packed in water instead of oil. Raw Oysters You’ll get protein and zinc, but it’s best to cook oysters, not eat them raw. That will help avoid food poisoning from bacteria like vibrio. This bacteria is more common in warmer months but can happen anytime. Hepatitis A can also be a risk with shellfish. Your oysters may be fine. But you can’t tell if it’s infected by how it looks and smells. Lemon juice, hot sauce, or alcohol won’tkill vibrio. Only thorough cooking can do that. Baked Catfish They may not be the prettiest fish to look at, but U.S. farm-raised catfish have a lot going for them. They’re low in mercury, eco-friendly, nutritious, and easy to find in grocery stores. You may want to check on the source, since some countries don’t have strict rules about fish farming. Fried catfish is a favorite for many, but frying adds lots of calories and fat. Bake it for a leaner dish. Grilled Sardines They’re usually canned, but you can sometimes get fresh ones at the market that are great when grilled whole. They’ve got plenty of omega-3s and not much mercury, because they’re small and short-lived. Plus, there really are lots of these fish in the sea, and they usually aren’t expensive. As with tuna, you can get them packed in water instead of oil. Ceviche Made with raw fish, lime juice, and often potatoes and onions, this is a traditional dish from Latin America. The acid in the lime juice may seem to “cook” it because the flesh changes color. But parasites can remain and make you sick. Seven days in the freezer at -4 F usually makes them safe. But the size and type of fish also make a difference, so let a chef make your ceviche.  If You’re Cooking When you’re at the market, seafood shouldn’t smell fishy. And if you can see the fish’s eyes, they should be clear. If the bones are a problem, you can buy fillets. Experts recommend that you cook fish until it flakes easily with a fork. You can cook it many ways: roast, bake, grill, or steam, to name a few. There are many recipes to try, so cast a broad net!
A bag of herbal detox drink mix juice or veggie multi-level cleanse.
October 7, 2017
Three Day Detox is a new Multi-Level Cleanse that works with a Fruit or Veggie Diet. It is similar to the Level One and Level Two Detox Cleanses. It has a stronger component of herbals with a modified taste. A multi-protein is added to balance the daily intake.
A woman is holding her hands on her hips.
October 5, 2017
Helminths are an adult Ascaris lumbriocoides worm. They can range from 3″ to 9″. Helminths are large, multicellular organisms that are generally visible to the naked eye in their adult stages. Like protozoa, helminths can be either free-living or parasitic in nature. In their adult form, helminths cannot multiply in humans. There are three main groups of helminths (derived from the Greek word for worms) that are human parasites:  Flatworms (platyhelminths) – these include the trematodes (flukes) and cestodes (tapeworms). Thorny-headed worms (acanthocephalins) – the adult forms of these worms reside in the gastrointestinal tract. The acanthocephala are thought to be intermediate between the cestodes and nematodes. Roundworms (nematodes) – the adult forms of these worms can reside in the gastrointestinal tract, blood, lymphatic system or subcutaneous tissues. Alternatively, the immature (larval) states can cause disease through their infection of various body tissues. Some consider the helminths to also include the segmented worms (annelids)—the only ones important medically are the leeches. Of note, these organisms are not typically considered parasites. Eradicating Parasites and Worms According to the CDC (Centers for Disease Control) Worms and parasites can be contracted from a variety of ways. Most commonly: Transfer between humans (kissing and sex included) Coming into contact with unclean surfaces (countertops and doorknobs) Food that is improperly prepared Contact with human hands that are unwashed
A bag of herbal detox drink mix on a white background.
November 20, 2015
Final Cleanse Detox Level Four is a 10 Day combination of an Herbal Detox Drink Cleanser and a Supplement to help Appetite Control and Curb Hunger. Works best used after using Level 1, Level 2 or Level 3 Detox Cleanses. Works with your regular diet plan.
A woman wearing headphones is drinking water from a bottle.
August 30, 2015
Can drinking water really help you lose more weight?
Two bees are sitting on a willow branch with yellow flowers.
August 12, 2015
Athletic Boosting Bee Pollen has many benefits..
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