No Meat = Healthy Heart: Confused Yet?

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No Meat = Healthy Heart: Confused Yet?

We just spoke about a recent study yesterday that showed eating small amounts of meat as a protein-rich food could make for a stronger heart. But now another study from the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that vegetarians had a 32% lower risk of heart disease compared to their meat-eating counterparts. Heart disease is a tricky thing to generalize when it comes to prevention. The rise of genomic sequencing and the genetic testing capabilities that have come out of that are increasing the knowledge around individual risk factors and preventative qualities. 

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7 ways to lose belly fat without exercise

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7 ways to lose belly fat without exercise

If exercise is not your thing and yet you have excess belly fat that doesn’t want to budge, is it possible to lose your muffin top without resorting to breaking a sweat?  It’s possible but only with a lot of dedication and diligence by adopting a healthy eating pattern along with other habits.  It’s always best to combine exercise with a healthy diet to get the best results but for those who won’t or can’t exercise, where there’s a will, there’s a way.

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Good Cholesterol vs. Bad Cholesterol

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Good Cholesterol vs. Bad Cholesterol

What is cholesterol? Cholesterol is a waxy, fat-like substance that is found in the body’s cells. Our bodies make cholesterol in order to make other substances like vitamin D or hormones. It also makes substances to help us digest food. Cholesterol is also found in the food we eat. Foods that we eat that contain cholesterol include poultry, meat, and dairy products. When we eat foods like this that are high in saturated and trans-fats, our livers produce even more cholesterol. When our bodies produce too much cholesterol, plaque develops in the walls of the arteries. This can lead to serious health conditions such as blood clots, stroke, or heart attack.

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Eat Meat For a Healthy Heart?

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Eat Meat For a Healthy Heart?

When we think of heart healthy food, we don't necessarily think of steak, but now researchers say it could help when consumed in moderation. New findings released in the journal, Nutrition showed that eating meat can actually give your heart a boost, similar to the impact of quitting smoking, limiting your sodium intake or more physical activity. Scientists analyzed data of nearly 2,000 women in the U.K.'s largest adult twin registry. They analyzed how much protein a person ate as well as dietary intake of seven amino acids which are the building blocks of protein are known to have heart-healthy properties. 

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Looking for natural ways to reduce cholesterol? 8 food sources that can help

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Looking for natural ways to reduce cholesterol? 8 food sources that can help

Most of us would rather treat high cholesterol naturally if at all possible.  But depending on your cholesterol level, many physicians will prescribe medication such as a statin. Statins can be effective in lowering cholesterol but may also cause adverse side effects for some individuals.  First, always listen to your physician and never quit taking your medication without consulting them but do ask questions to thoroughly understand all the options that can be helpful in lowering your cholesterol.

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5 Diet Changes to Make this Week

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5 Diet Changes to Make this Week

What you eat matters more than anything, but how you eat and when also matter. Usually when we talk about our diet, we start to squirm in our seats, but if we never commit to making small changes, living an unhealthy lifestyle will always be a reality. Believe it or not, counting calories is not the secret, neither is starving yourself. Here are 5 diet changes you can make tomorrow.

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7 Easy Vegetarian Breakfast Ideas

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7 Easy Vegetarian Breakfast Ideas

Breakfast is the both the most important meal of the day and one of the hardest to prepare with our busy mornings. But these 7 breakfast ideas can be prepared in a jiffy or even parts of it the night before. Breakfast gives you the energy you need for the day and starts up your metabolism, a.k.a. your fat-burning engine. Consider these 7 ideas tomorrow morning. 

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How Sugar Affects Your Hormones

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How Sugar Affects Your Hormones

We have some work to do when it comes to ending the seemingly never-ending cycle of sugar cravings as well as nutrient deficiency. The average American consumes approximately one third of a pound of sugar each day, translating into nearly 130 pounds of sugar per person every year. As a nation sugar usage exceeds 9 million tons a year. But what are the results of us consuming all this sugar? Well, believe it or not, sugar also affects our hormones and a woman's menstrual period. Here's why.

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High Protein Breakfasts Always Win

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High Protein Breakfasts Always Win

Protein fuels the muscles, boosts metabolism and keeps hunger at bay. Breakfast is the most important meal of the day. It revs up your metabolism, builds up your energy for the day and makes you just feel good. The key? Eat a high-protein and low carb balanced breakfast. And don't forget your morning booster, coffee. More studies revealed in 2015 alone showed the caffeine, chlorogenic acid and antioxidants in coffee help fight chronic diseases like cancer and diabetes. 3-4 cups of black coffee per day are optimal. 

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“Clean” up your diet and change your life

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“Clean” up your diet and change your life

For the past several years there has been a dietary term called “clean eating” or “eating clean” that has followed on the heels of the organic, local and slow food movements.  Clean eating simply means eating foods in their most natural, whole state as possible while reducing the intake of processed and packaged foods to a bare minimum.  Foods eliminated would be prepared items such as frozen pizza, boxed or canned goods, sugary desserts, soft drinks, or anything that contains unnecessary food additives such as high fructose corn syrup, other added sugars, excess salt or chemical preservatives. 

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The magic of family meals – a secret to raising good kids

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The magic of family meals – a secret to raising good kids

Want to know a secret to raising happy, healthy, well-adjusted children?  Eat meals together as a family as often as you can.  This one simple yet often hard to make happen activity is so important it should be a main priority of strengthening your family.  Once you have children, sitting down to eat a  meal as a family is difficult when competing with conflicting schedules and other factors – jobs, sport practices and games, school meetings, club activities – it’s a struggle but it is vital to giving your child the advantage they need to succeed in this world. 

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10 Essential Superfoods For You

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10 Essential Superfoods For You

Our bodies seek to achieve a sense of balance on a daily basis. Reaching this goal is essential for optimal energy and well-being throughout the day. If we don’t reach that goal each day, we often slowly begin to see issues arise such as digestive problems, weight gain, infections and illness, more stress and moodiness, and low energy. Over a long period of time without balance, hormonal imbalance and chronic disease can develop. 

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The McDonald's Diet

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The McDonald's Diet

You may have read or heard about the high school science teacher, John Cisna, from Iowa who had three of his students do a semester project featuring him eating nothing but food from McDonalds for 90 days.  The purpose of this experiment was to see if he could lose weight and how it would affect his health. In September 2013, John Cisna, who was obese weighing 280 pounds, wanted to see if it was possible to eat only fast food, yet by controlling his calorie level and balancing nutrients, could he actually lose weight in the process.  What he found out was a resounding “yes.” 

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Antioxidants May Boost Age-Related Immunity Decline

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Antioxidants May Boost Age-Related Immunity Decline

Antioxidants are compounds that neutralize free radicals, which are unstable molecules that can cause tissue destruction. Free radicals are produced normally during metabolism and are actually used to kill viruses and bacteria by our own immune cells. While our body is equipped to handle small quantities of free radicals, environmental agents, such as, cigarette smoke, radiation and pollution are sources of additional free radicals. When the body natural defenses are exhausted, the unstable molecules become destructive. The damage accumulates with age and has been implicated in disease states ranging from Alzheimer’s disease to cancer. Antioxidants, however, are capable of defusing the free radicals, transforming them into inert stable compounds, which are harmless.

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Healthy Eating, Healthy Brain

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Healthy Eating, Healthy Brain

MIND diet may slow brain from aging by 7.5 years according to new research. The MIND diet is a group of specific foods that may help slow cognitive decline among aging adults, even when the person isn't at risk for developing Alzheimer's disease. This study came from Rush University Medical Center and the finding is in addition to a previous study by the same team that found the MIND diet may reduce overall risk of Alzheimer's. 

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Long Live Spicy Food (And You!)

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Long Live Spicy Food (And You!)

Adding spice to your food has often been thought to help boost metabolism and keep you fuller longer. Adding spicy seasonings like red pepper flakes or a dash of Tabasco may help you feel more satisfied even from a smaller portion of food. Research on this has been lacking but a new study may help to prove otherwise. A new study published in the British Medical Journal, showed that eating spicy foods may lower your risk of death from conditions like cancer, ischemic heart disease and respiratory disease.

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5 Cups of Coffee May Benefit Arteries

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5 Cups of Coffee May Benefit Arteries

Coffee has been touted to have many health benefits just this year through many health studies. a new study has suggested drinking three to five cups of coffee a day reduces the risk of clogged arteries and heart attacks. Published in the journal, Heart, researchers analyzed almost 26,000 people and measured their calcium levels in the coronary arteries, seeking a any correlation between coffee consumption habits. 

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Eating On-The-Go May Lead To Weight Gain

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Eating On-The-Go May Lead To Weight Gain

Most people feel they would feel a lot better if they lose a few pounds. For others, weight loss is a lifelong battle. One of the major reasons people struggle with weight loss is if they have a busy lifestyle. Constantly being on-the-go can really be a major inhibitor of any healthy habit if you're not extremely disciplined. Here are 8 tips for those who are on-the-go. But new research has found that eating on the go may cause weight gain in dieters. 

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Do You Eat Too Much Sugar?

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Do You Eat Too Much Sugar?

The average American consumes approximately one third of a pound of sugar each day, translating into nearly 130 pounds of sugar per person every year. As a nation sugar usage exceeds 9 million tons a year. Fruit has good sugar. Product is your best bet when it comes to satisfying that sugar craving. It's also packed with fiber which helps you feel fuller longer. Fruits also have the added benefit of plenty of essential vitamins and minerals. But the real question is how much is too much? 

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How Many Glasses Of Water Should I Drink?

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How Many Glasses Of Water Should I Drink?

A New York Times article published has sparked a debate on how much water is actually needed for a day. The piece challenges the 8-glasses-a-day habit and urges readers to forget about aiming for the 64 ounces and just listen to their body. Put forther by Dr. Aaron Carroll, he works through to debunk the eight cups a day theory, even calling it a myth. Other health professionals have spoken out against this as well, significantly from a doctor in the British Medical Journal from 2011. 

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