Monthly Insights
Body dissatisfaction can trigger eating disorders at any age (March 2024)
As I embark on midlife, more and more female clients disclose to me how dissatisfied they are with their bodies. Many of these clients have been chronic dieters, and many have struggled with body image during much of their lifetime, while many others have not thought twice about their body until now. Typically, eating disorders […]
What about the new “Superfood” Acai Berry? (October 2008)
The Brazilian Acai berry is only one of the “Super Berry” family that includes pomegranate, goji berry (aka: wolfberry), mangosteen and the Chilean macqui berry. The first qualification is that the berry must be an exotic “berry type” fruit (cranberry, blueberry, bilberry, raspberries, strawberry are not members). The Acai berry may have higher phenolic […]
The Truth Behind Water Bottle Health (September 2008)
Drinking water from your reusable water bottle you felt virtuous. Then came the news: A study from the National Toxicology Program warned that bisphenol A (BPA), a chemical found in hard plastic called polycarbonate (look for a number 7 inside the recycling symbol), was linked to precancerous tumors and hormonal changes. BPA is most […]
Does Splenda Contain Chlorine and is it Unhealthy? (August 2008)
It is true that Splenda is made using Chlorine, which sounds scary, but the sugar industry warns that you are actually “eating chlorine” when consuming sucralose, the chemical sold as Splenda. Plain sugar is transformed into sucralose by substituting three chlorine atoms for hydrogen, creating a substance that is not digested by the body, so […]
Leafy Greens Cut Lung Cancer Risk by 50% (July 2008)
Spanish researchers report that a daily serving of green leafy vegetables rich in flavonoids and vitamins A and C, may cut your risk of lung cancer in half. But don’t think you can just pop a pill and get the same protective benefit: In a second new study, University of Washington scientists founds that […]
Omega- 3’s Fight Parkinson’s (June 2008)
Parkinson’s is a degenerative disease affecting speech and motor skills. A study by researchers at Universite Laval in Quebec City, Canada, showed that a diet high in omega- 3 fatty acids (found in salmon and flaxseed) may protect against and slow down the progression of this illness, while a diet high in omega-6 fatty acids […]
Good News About Whole Grains (May 2008)
Getting two or more serving of whole grains every day may cut your risk of pancreatic cancer by about 40 percent, according to a study by researchers at the University of California, San Francisco. On the flip side, people who ate two or more servings of donuts every week had an increased risk of this […]
What is Inulin? (April 2008)
Inulin has been added to various foods lately. Clients have been asking me about it in my private practice and I thought it would be great to discuss what it is. Inulin is a type of soluble fiber that acts as a prebiotic, feeding the good bacteria in your gut. It can add bulk to […]
Tomato Products Reduce LDL Cholesterol by 13% (March 2008)
The British Journal of Nutrition published a study focusing on 21 healthy volunteer with normal cholesterol readings. They consumed a tomato free diet for the first three weeks, then a three week “high tomato” diet that included 30 milligrams of ketchup and 400 milliliters of tomato juice daily. That is about two tablespoons of […]
Go Three for Omega 3! (February 2008)
Did you know there are three types of Omega 3-Fatty Acids? EPA (Eicosapentaeonic acid): This is the most abundant in seafood and fish oil concentrates. Research suggests that this omega 3 fat has anti-inflammatory effects, and according to a new study in Atherosclerosis, helps to prevent fatty plaques from building up in arteries. DHA […]
Fish and the safety of it (January 2008)
Adult women should aim for roughly seven grams of EPA and DHA from fish per week. Here is a list of the different kinds of seafood that provide one gram per day. The websites that will keep you current on the safety of fish and whether it is safe to eat your favorite fish are […]