Women and Sugary Beverages, Screening Children For Cholesterol and Nuts, Nuts, Nuts… Health Topics You Should Know About!
Women Who Drink Sugary Drinks Have Higher Risk of Heart Disease and Diabetes
Presented at the American Heart Association meetings in Orlando, Florida this week, researcher Christina Shay, Ph.D., M.A., Assistant Professor at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, and her group, reported that women who drink two or more sugar-sweetened drinks (e.g. soda, sweet tea, flavored waters, etc.) a day, will have a super high level of the blood fat-triglycerides, more belly fat and abdominal obesity, and are at an increased risk of developing heart disease and diabetes, even if they didn’t gain weight! What do you do: my opinion is-women and everyone need to cut way back on any sugary beverage or foods they are consuming. Here is scientific evidence that all of those sugary sodas and coffees may be “stress relieving”, but are really hazardous to your health!
Have You Checked Your Child’s Cholesterol Level?
New screening guidelines issued by the American Academy of Pediatrics indicate that all children ages 9 to 11 and 17 to 21 should be screened for cholesterol. Previous guidelines only recommended obtaining a cholesterol level in children that have a strong family history of heart disease or a cholesterol abnormality. These new guidelines stem from that fact that researchers have determined that the atherosclerotic process begins very early in life, even at the age of 9. If cholesterol levels are found to be elevated at this early age, first line dietary management is often effective and change of lifestyle can be life saving!
Eating Nuts Every Day Helps Control Diabetes and Cholesterol Levels
Research by Dr. David Jenkins, of the University of Toronto Department of Nutritional Sciences published in the journal Diabetes Care, indicates that consuming at least two ounces of nuts (mixed, unsalted, raw or dry roasted: almonds, pistachios, walnuts, pecans, hazelnuts, peanuts, cashews, and macadamias) daily, can help control the blood sugar and cholesterol levels. Nuts can be used, according to Dr. Jenkins as an effective replacement for carbohydrates and in most cases can be consumed without a weight gain. What are the benefits of eating nuts?
- Contain healthy plant fats ( mostly monounsaturated)
- Sources of protein-Arginine which may help prevent clotting
- Are Cholesterol free
- Contain potassium, magnesium, fiber, copper, folic acid and phytochemicals
- Contain little carbohydrate-and don’t add to blood sugar peaking
- Help control obesity, diabetes, cholesterol
- Give a sense of feeling full-which may limit over eating
- May be associated with a LOWER risk of heart disease
Bottom line: Nuts are a fantastic food source. Stay away if you are allergic and have reasons not to eat nuts. Be careful not to over load on nuts as they are a source of calories and eating anything to excess can result in weight gain.