Q: How much exercise do I need each week? 
First of all, fat is an essential part of your diet. It is recommended that about 30% of your calorie intake come from fat. Be careful when you look at that number. Do not mistake it to mean that 30% of the food you eat can be fat. One gram of fat is equal to more than double one gram of protein or carbohydrates. (If you’re wondering what percentage of the amount of food you eat can be fat, that number is around 15%.) What matters most is the type of fat. There are “good” fats and “bad” fats.
Trans fat is the worst type of fat. Most people know that, but do you know why? Trans fat is high in LDL (low-density lipoproteins) and low in HDL (high density lipoproteins). LDL carries cholesterol away from the heart and builds up in the arteries (increasing cholesterol levels). HDL, on the other hand, carries cholesterol away from your heart and to the liver, where it will eventually leave your system. Doctors believe that HDL can slow down the build up of LDL. Nearly all processed and fried foods contain trans fats. It is recommended that they make up less than 1% of your diet.
Saturated fats are slightly healthier than trans fats. Although saturated fats contain moderately high amounts of LDL, they also contain levels of HDL to counter that. This type of fat is often found in meats and dairy products. It is recommended that they make up less than 7% of your calorie intake. As a general rule, fats that are solid at room temperature are most likely trans or saturated.
The good fats are the ones that contain high amounts of HDL and also low amounts of LDL. Unsaturated fats fit this description. You can find unsaturated fats in nuts, seeds, fish, and vegetable oils. Let those make up the leftover, biggest portion of the fat in your diet.
Major holidays seem to thrive on giving and receiving candy and sugar-filled sweets, and stores are inundated with these festively wrapped treats during the holiday seasons. Easter Sunday is this weekend, and an Easter basket’s main staple is, you guessed it, chocolate eggs, chocolate shaped like bunnies, and marshmallow peeps. Now don’t get me wrong, I love these things as much as the next person, my waistline can attest to that, but I think it’s a mistake to allow these delicious treats to be the majority of what fills an Easter basket.
I’m not saying you shouldn’t put any chocolate covered marshmallow bunnies into the basket, but there are other alternatives for basket fillers that will make Easter a little healthier this year. Here are some ideas that I use:
Treats:
Miscellaneous Things:
Personally, I’m a great fan of the miscellaneous items and definitely suggest using them – they take up more room and fill an Easter basket to overflowing. Plus, the enjoyment factor lasts a lot longer than the candy or treats which are quickly eaten and forgotten.
I am a big red wine fan. So anytime I can get health news that justifies me drinking red wine more often, I am a big fan. I found a study led by microbiologist David Sinclair from the Harvard Medical School, originally published at the end of 2006, that has convinced me to uncork a few more bottles of Burgundy!
Dr. Sinclair’s research involved fat mice and average girth mice. In the study, fat mice that consumed red wine lived as long and as healthy as the slim and trim mice. The fat mice which were on a high fat, high calorie diet were given resveratrol (a main component of red wine). The resveratrol-given mice showed healthy insulin control, livers, and cardiovascular systems.
So if you like cracking open a bottle of Merlot on a regular basis, you should read this study and drink to your health!
Have you had your flax seed today? The blue flowering plant, which grows on the western Canadian prairies, is catching the attention of a new generation of healthy eaters, and they are focusing on the wonderful benefits of flax seed, among other essential fatty acids, which contribute to our well-being. The reason has to do with the high concentrations of alpha linolenic acid—a type of plant-derived omega 3 fatty acid, found in salmon, and lignin, a type of phytoestrogen, (antioxidant) which also provides fiber. In combination, these properties help in healing many ailments, including high cholesterol and heart disease. Flax also helps lubricate joints, in those with arthritis, and heals the inner lining of the intestines, which in return, heals colitis, IBD and Crohn’s disease. It is also touted for cancer, reduction of tumors, diabetes and as a laxative, due to its high fiber content.
Flax seed’s roots date back to ancient Egypt and the eastern Mediterranean, where it was extensively produced, and for which many scientists today credit their remarkable healing properties. In fact, because of the many uses of oils, such as flax seed and olive oil, the ancient people of Egypt discovered bounteous heath, living a full and prosperous life. It works well with, or in multi-vitamins, improving the absorption of calcium, giving aid to the B vitamins, as it strengthens finger and toenails, the immune and nervous system. It can also assist in healing skin diseases, such as psoriasis, eczema, and dandruff.
Aside from its medical benefits, the various parts of the pant have been utilized for fabric, dye, paper, medicines, fishing nets and soap. Due to its nutty flavor, flax seeds can be put in and on many things, such as salads, cereals, in soups, yogurts, oatmeal, or wherever a nutty flavor is desired.
I don’t know about you, but I have always gotten a kick out of the never ending stream of TV advertisements for new drugs. Every pharmaceutical company seems to be hawking another cure-all. I especially love the disclaimers at the end, “Using Zibomax can lead to loss of limb, eyesight and the ability to breathe.” These are, of course, delivered by a mellow, happy sounding announcer, while people on the screen are frolicking through a sunlit meadow. I just laugh at all of these ads because I could not imagine any viewers actually taking them seriously. As usual, I was completely wrong, and the “masses are asses” has proven to be the world’s mantra.
A recent survey by USA TODAY, the Kaiser Family Foundation, and the Harvard School of Public Health shows some interesting results:
The bottom line is that it appears drug advertising works. This is why the pharmaceutical industry in 2006 spent $4.8 billion on consumer ads, according to IMS Health, a private firm that tracks sales and marketing.
No matter what the industry, businesses will continue to market their products if it is effective. And the drug business is no different. Expect the number of television pharmaceutical ads to continue to rise in coming years, despite my head shaking at the American public.
My greater advice would be to utilize massages with a G5 Professional massager or a G5 GBM massager
