Food and Diet. Find daily health food tips and ideas from Dr. David Samadi. Discover healthy food for healthy living. Explore major food issues and debates related to health such as buying and cooking with organic food, genetically modified food (GMO versus Non-GMO), nutrition, dieting epidemic, obesity, disease prevention, best digestion foods.
1. Avocados
· Avocados are high in fat, but most of the fat in an avocado is monounsaturated, the heart-healthy kind that actually lowers bad cholesterol.
· In recent years, the U.S. government has even revised its official nutrition guidelines to urge Americans to eat more avocados.
· Moderation is still key, since one medium avocado boasts 30 grams of fat.
Read MoreAugust is one of the best months for produce. In summer there are a lot of good choices out there. Based on where you live in the U.S., your produce offerings can vary, but in August there are several fruits and veggies that are in-season and tasty nationwide.
Read MoreThere has been so much about coffee in the news these past few months. A number of significant studies have look at its effects on reducing everything from heart disease, cancer and diabetes. There's been a number of reviews around studies that have cited the benefits of various aspects of drinking coffee. Most studies recognize a "cup of coffee" being an 8 ounce serving and when we talk about coffee, we mean black coffee, not with milk, sugar, syrup and other additives. Across the board of most studies, 3-4 cups per day for most everyone is where the peak benefit can be traced to. Pregnant women and those who suffer from acid reflux and other issues should stay away.Here are 7 benefits you should know.
Read MoreEating right is a fundamental part of maintaining healthy hair. In many ways your hair health is a reflection of your own personal health. Following a diet high in fruits, vegetables, and lean proteins can really make a difference in how your hair looks and feels. Similarly, bad habits like smoking, drinking excessively, and not getting enough sleep can make your hair dull, brittle and less shiny. Here are some food to add to your diet to improve your hair.
Read MoreHunger is a constant battle. Some people even claim they're never sure if they actually feel a sensation of hunger. The truth is we eat much bigger portions than our bodies need. We also often choose unhealthy snacks throughout the day. The ghrelin hormone is produced in the stomach and intestines and is often referred to as the “hunger hormone.” This hormone has numerous functions in the body, including the ability to stimulate hunger. When ghrelin levels in the stomach rise, the brain gets a signal that it is time for food.
Read MoreAntioxidants 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.
Read MoreGiving up soda is a big change for a lot of people. Even cutting back from let’s say three sodas to one a day, can be life-altering and very beneficial to your health. For some people the changes are a bit less drastic and mean switching from regular to diet soda. But is diet, better? For those who switched to diet soda from regular soda, it was probably because they were trying to be healthier and cut calories. This calorie cut, however, does not mean healthier. Nor does it mean that you are in the clear from the health risks that come from drinking soda.
Read MoreIt seems these days, everyone's an expert on what works and what doesn't when it comes to weight loss. The truth is weight loss doesn't have one simple formula. Everyone's body is different and you need to find what works for you. But we have 9 weight loss tips that you probably haven't tried before. Here they are.
Read MoreHeart health is achievable. If you make small changes every day, you will have long term health when it comes to your heart. Heart disease is the leading cause of death in men and women. There are 720,000 deaths every year as a result of heart attacks. This month, we need to educate and push people to think about lifestyle changes and prevention when it comes to heart disease. There are many small changes you can make today to help your heart. I have a great mnemonic for you to help remember and please pass this along to your children.
Read MoreIn case you’re reading this article in the middle of the night because you can’t fall asleep, you’ve got company. Globally, insomnia is the world’s most common sleep disorder with 30 % or 2.2 billion people who suffer frequently from it. When you have persistent sleep problems – at least 3 nights per week - with falling or staying asleep or both and you wake up feeling unrefreshed, this can have a negative impact on your ability to function during the day.
Read MoreA new study was published in the journal, Neuropsychopharmacology found that the saturated fats had a similar effect on our brains as drugs. The more saturated fat we eat, the less we enjoy it…and the more we crave it in order to get the same “high.” The scientists studied rats which are used for experimentation because their genetic, biological and behavior characteristics resemble those of humans. One group was fed a low-fat diet with equal amounts of monounsaturated fat derived from palm oil and the third was a diet high in saturated fat.
Read MoreEating healthy is a lifestyle and we're always on the hunt for healthy foods that are nutrient-rich and delicious. That winning combination can be found in these ten foods. Researchers have defined belly fat as an active organ in your body that churns out hormones and inflammatory substances. Belly fat accumulates over time but can be lethal. Here are 12 ways to lose it and hey maybe you'll see a difference before summer hits. Try them as snacks or adding them to your daily meals. We promise you'll love them!
Read MorePotassium is one of the most important and essential dietary minerals the body needs. What does it do? It helps balance the body's pH and body fluids. It's also a critical regulator for blood pressure (it works in opposition to sodium). It's also required for normal muscle growth, nervous system and brain function. According to the Institute of Medicine, the average person should consume about 4,700 milligrams of potassium per day.
Read MoreIn 1960, the American Heart Association recommended cholesterol levels of 300 or less. Then food labels were created and enforced in 1994. In 2010, warnings of high cholesterol resulting in stroke, diabetes and heart attack were advised. Now in February 2015, the nations top nutrition advisory panel announced the potential drop of their longstanding warnings about cholesterol levels.
Read MoreNot all research has confirmed or identified all of the bacterial strains teeming in our guts but 5 new books break down what you need to know to transform your body's second brain. We carry up to 2 kg of microbes in our gut, and there are at least 1,000 species of bacteria consisting of over 3 million genes. Two thirds of the gut microbiome, which is the population of microbes in the intestine is unique to each individual.
Read MoreThe concept of intermittent fasting has been thrown around a lot in light of recent studies exploring the health benefits and its effects for weight loss. Let’s explore what exactly this method entails. Intermittent fasting is not a diet, consider it a dieting pattern. In simple terms, you make a conscious decision to skip certain meals. There’s no doubt that this concept has taken off, becoming the latest diet trend among celebrities, trickling down to every tired dieter, who’s been dying try something new, that’s sure to shed those extra pounds.
Read MoreWe have some word 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 eats up many of the nutrients we get from the healthy food we're consuming. Here's why.
Read MoreIt seems these days, everyone's an expert on what works and what doesn't when it comes to weight loss. The truth is weight loss doesn't have one simple formula. Everyone's body is different and you need to find what works for you. But a common misconception is that eating healthy is super expensive. Or embarking on a weight loss journey will cost thousands. This doesn't have to be the case. Remember small changes matter. Try these 7 Tips for cost-effective weight loss.
Read MoreBreakfast 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. When you sleep, your body is in fasting mode. So the moment you wake up, you need to pump it up with energy, otherwise it will enter starvation mode, and store more fat, versus burn it.
Read MoreIf you are someone who has been unsuccessful at weight loss or weight maintenance, maybe it’s time to look at what may be getting in the way – your metabolism. Metabolism, also known as basal metabolic rate (BMR) is the rate in which the body uses energy or calories to support keeping you alive – it’s all those involuntary things our body do without us even having to think about it – our heart beating, blood circulating, respiration, temperature maintenance, nerve activity and so forth.
Read More
