Eating For Health

Everyone has heard of Alzheimer’s and you may know people who have suffered from Alzheimer’s disease.   My sister called my attention to an article in Forbes magazine, People with Alzheimer’s disease tend to be deficient in these 5 nutrients that ‘help keep brains in top condition at all ages’ researchers say.   What are these 5 nutrients and how do these nutrients help protect against Alzheimer’s disease?   These research findings are interesting to me not only as a nutritionist but the work Forbes cited was done at the Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine by Professor Kathleen Dorey. What was the study and what other studies have been done? Virginia Tech scientists analyzed the brains of 31 donors, average age 75.   Most but not all of the donors had died with Alzheimer’s.   The scientists found that those with Alzheimer’s had brains with only half the level of 5 nutrients.   NIH has also studied diet in preventing Alzheimer’s Disease. ...

Everyone knows that healthy eating promotes good health.   But did you know there are foods you can eat to promote good eye health?   The New York State Department of Health has a great article, Look to Fruits and Vegetables for Good Eye Health .   They note that eating more fruits and vegetables will improve eye health and help prevent some eye diseases.   Choosing foods rich in antioxidants is the key to better eye health.   (Fruits and vegetables are good for your overall health, see “ Why are berries and other fruit and veggies so good for your health ?”)   Fruits and vegetables are full of antioxidants but a number of other foods are also rich in antioxidants.    What antioxidants protect our eyes and what foods provide those antioxidants?   Lutein and Zeaxanthin – you may have seen commercials on TV that promote lutein.   If you look at the daily vitamin/mineral supplement you may be taking, you may find “lutein” listed.   T...

Who doesn’t love a bowl of soup on a cold winter’s day?   Soup can be a way to add to your daily nutrition.   However, there are some soups that one should leave on the shelf.   Eat This, Not That recently wrote,   The Worst Chicken Noodle Soups on Shelves.   What soups are ones you should be putting in your grocery cart and which ones should you avoid?   What about homemade soup?   How can you make a healthy soup at home? Chicken Noodle soup is a favorite of most people.   A great soup when you are feeling ill or just want something hot on a cold day.   What to watch for in canned soups? Sodium – we all know we should “watch our sodium” but canned soups can pack a high amount of sodium in each serving.   Little or no vegetables – a good way to get some nutrition in your day is to choose a soup that has some vegetables in it.   Even tomato soup is a healthy Added sugar – we don’t need added sugar in our soup.   ...