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.
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.
Read MoreYou 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.”
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 MoreMIND 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.
Read MoreAdding 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.
Read MoreCoffee 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.
Read MoreMost 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.
Read MoreThe 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?
Read MoreThere have been a lot of arguments for the exact amount of calories we need each day. The truth is it depends on several factors such as age, height, weight, lifestyle, general and overall health habits. It's even been discovered that how you eat your food can affect how many calories get into your system.
Read MoreA 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.
Read MoreA vitamin D deficiency occurs when the level of vitamin D in your body is too low. Vitamin D helps the body use calcium from our diet which is essential for us as humans to maintain bone strength. If you feel you might be experiencing symptoms of a vitamin D deficiency, it is important to get tested and treated because it can eventually cause your bones to become thin, brittle or misshapen. The only way to confirm that you are suffering from a vitamin D deficiency is to get a blood test to test your vitamin D levels. In the meantime, if you are experiencing any of the following signs or symptoms, you should get tested sooner rather than later.
Read MoreSmoothies for breakfast or a quick snack have become all the rage and people are really exploring the vast amount of ingredients to work with. But not every ingredient is equal and some can actually leave more hidden calories behind. There are plenty of healthy add-ons but some can add to your waistline. Here are 7 ingredients to avoid adding to your smoothies.
Read MoreDuring a weight loss period, your body's acid level is probably not one of the vitals you track on the way to the gym. Enter the pee-strip diet. A new diet has emerged that requires peeing on a strip of paper, which is available at most pharmacies, to test pH levels. Does it work? Well, this diet has been around for a few years but has gained more buzz recently. Celebrities such as Jennifer Aniston, Kelly Ripa and Gwyneth Paltrow have embarked down this road. Some dieters are even having pee-strip contests to see who achieves their more neutral pH level. Crazy right?
Read MoreCoffee junkie? Loving the cold brew? Yes we all enjoy our brews in the morning and throughout the day. 59 percent of Americans drink coffee every day. But are you aware of the extent of this beverage's effect on the body. 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.
Read MoreThe body continues to burn through food and nutrients even as we sleep, leaving our stores depleted by morning. A meal shortly after waking up is important to replenish these depleted energy stores and energize the body. But what is the ideal portion for breakfast? 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. Skipping breakfast can also lead to low energy. We rely on breakfast to kick start our metabolism after a good night's sleep.
Read MoreFrom the days of well-dressed salesmen selling snake oil to the sleek professional websites on the internet of today, you need to know how to protect yourself from nutrition quackery. If you don’t, you may be wasting money on fraudulent nutrition services that are ineffective or risky to your health. Nutrition quackery is defined as the promotion for financial gain, of devices, treatments, services, plans, or products claimed to improve health, well-being, or appearance without proof of safety or effectiveness. The expansion of this industry has been a problem often hard for government regulation or enforcement. Would you know how to spot nutrition quackery if you saw it? Here are the top ten ways to identify it and to prevent you from being duped into something you don’t need:
Read MoreThe second half of the day is upon us at that 11:15 am time. Obviously the post-lunch lull can grab hold of us and make it difficult to make it through the day. Everyone is in pursuit of optimal performance and health throughout the day. The key is cognitive function. Did you know there are very simple steps you can take to bolster your brain power as well. In an age where attention is the new limited resource, optimizing the brain is as critical as ever. Here are 5 easy ways to do just that before lunch.
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Globally, we are experiencing an epidemic of diabetes due to rapid increases in obesity. Total deaths are projected to rise by more than 50% in next decade. It's important to remember diabetes can be prevented even if you're at risk because of family history. 30 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity on most days and a healthy diet can reduce the risk of Type 2.
Read MoreThe Food and Drug Administration is lagging in a very important part of public health: reducing sodium consumption from salt. Other nations like Australia, United Kingdom and South African have implemented sodium-reduction initiatives to reduce the burden of heart attack and stroke, the United States lags far behind, having yet to enact any such initiative. Brands in America might want to reduce sodium decline to step forward due to a fear of being put at a competitive disadvantage if their competitors didn't do the same.
Read MoreWhole grains, such as brown rice, quinoa and whole oats, are known to have significant health benefits. According to WebMD, they are full of nutrients including protein, fiber, B vitamins, antioxidants, and various minerals. A whole grain diet can reduce the risk of heart disease, type 2 diabetes, obesity, some cancers, and may improve bowel health by helping to maintain regular bowel movements and promote growth of healthy bacteria in the colon. However, only 10% of Americans eat the daily recommendation of at least three servings a day.
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