Eggs are rich in choline – a nutrient receiving much attention for its proposed role in brain function and memory performance. Additionally, eggs contain lutein and zeaxanthin, antioxidants that can preserve eye health and reduce macular degeneration, the leading cause of blindness [1].
Recently, the Journal of Nutrition suggested eggs be looked at as a “package deal” – they are inexpensive, contain the highest-quality protein known to man, and are loaded with vital nutrients such as folate, riboflavin, selenium, B12, and choline. For a mere 75 calories, eggs are considered nutrient-dense, low-calorie food that can enhance any menu [1].
But of course, shopping for eggs can be as tricky as every other food product in the grocery store. Free range versus organic versus this versus that. Here’s a Chicago Tribune run-down on 12 “egg terms” to increase your knowledge of eggs and egg shopping [2].
Natural: The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service defines "natural" as not containing "any artificial or synthetic ingredients, and it must be minimally processed." By this definition, almost all eggs would be considered natural.
Free range: Indicates that hens have access to the outdoors, but there are no regulations on the duration or quality of their access.
Pasteurized: Eggs that have been treated with heat to eliminate salmonella bacteria and make them safe to eat raw or undercooked.
Pasture raised: This unregulated term implies that hens are raised outdoors and moved regularly in mobile hen houses to different grassy lots on the farm. This gives them access to a variety of foods found on the ground -- bugs, grubs and other small creatures -- as well as chicken feed.
Fertile: Hens are raised in barns that also house roosters. The term is unregulated but implies that the hens are uncaged.
Food Alliance certified: According to Food Alliance, their certification requires "Healthy and humane treatment of animals, safe and fair working conditions, soil and water conservation, pest and nutrient management, protection of wildlife habitat and other agricultural concerns."
Animal Welfare Approved: Hens must be kept cage-free and allowed to perform natural behaviors such as nesting, perching and dust bathing. Outdoor access is required at all times, and forced molting and beak cutting are prohibited. Certifies mostly family farms.
American Humane Certified: Hens must be kept uncaged, but access to the outdoors is not required. Space requirements allow for natural behaviors. Forced molting is prohibited, but beak trimming is permitted in some cases. AHC has certified about 85 percent of cage-free eggs in the United States.
United Egg Producers Certified: This certification allows hens to be caged, does not require access to the outdoors and does not prohibit beak cutting or forced molting. It does require that hens have "access to clean water and are fed several times a day." The UEP literature suggests caged hens are safer and healthier than uncaged birds.
Certified Humane Raised and Handled: Hens are uncaged inside barns or warehouses and may have access to the outdoors. Includes space requirements for hens to perform natural behaviors. Forced molting is prohibited, but beak cutting is permitted.
USDA organic: Hens are kept uncaged in barns or warehouses, are allowed access to the outdoors and are fed an organic, vegetarian diet free of antibiotics and pesticides. Forced molting and beak cutting are permitted.
For more information go to www.maculardegenerationassociation.org
Friday, September 25, 2009
Thursday, September 17, 2009
The Distinct Reward Of A Nutritional Regime That Is Rich In Items Of Produce
By Cheryl K Murphy
For many years it has been advised that we consume 5 or more servings of fruits and vegetables each day. Fruits and vegetables can be very positive for our superior wellbeing like controlling weight, suppressing age-related difficulties and even the prevention of disease. It is projected that the normal American eats 3 or less servings of fruits and vegetables every day.
There is no dispute about the nutritional value ofproduce. Contrary to some other foods, the portion suggestions for produce are not attached to an monetary profit for farmers or producers but rather the advice is completely for the wellbeing advantages of the consumer.
If you incorporate more fruits and vegetables to your pattern of eating you can expect to obtain many health advantages such as anti-aging and even fat loss. Produce is especially high in fiber, antioxidants, vitamins, minerals and phytonutrients that are all imperative to your excellent wellbeing.
There are also precise wellbeing advantages to be gained from a diet elevated in produce. Your cardio system will run better. A recent study from Harvard found that for every further serving of fruits and vegetables eaten day by day the risk of heart disease is diminished by as much as 4%. If you consume the suggested 5 servings the threat of stroke is lowered by as much as 26% and just including an assortment of healthy and nutritious produce to your daily eating habits can show the way to significantly lower blood pressure.
Science is furthermore continuing to realize the relationship between extraordinary items of produce ingestion and the lessening of cancers and other ailments. Antioxidants that are plentiful in items of produce have been verified to be powerful for cancer and disease prevention. Many declines with illness are caused by from undue free radicals in our bodies. Antioxidants come in and deactivate free radicals thereby preventing the injury that they can begin.
Fruits and vegetables also offers an advantage for your eyesight and vision. Countless items of produce are high in vitamin A, which is valuable for your eyesight but study has also discovered that consuming as little as cup of leafy greens every day will bring down the hazard of macular degeneration by as much as 43%.
A pattern of eating rich in fruits and vegetables will too recover your digestive wellbeing. You will have more energy and you will be healthier and stronger all around. Seek to consume more nourishing and nutritious items of produce and steer clear of very processed foods, deep fried foods, sugars and all junk foods.
Adding in more items of produce to your each day pattern of eating can only benefit your health. Aim to get in at minimum 5 or even added servings. Items of produce are liable to be low in calories and high in fiber and satiety power so the more you can devour the better.
The most important advantages of a pattern of eating excessive in items of produce for a long and healthy life. You can get more information about acai at AcaiWow.com. Plus find out more about super foods.
For more information go to www.maculardegenerationassociation.org
For many years it has been advised that we consume 5 or more servings of fruits and vegetables each day. Fruits and vegetables can be very positive for our superior wellbeing like controlling weight, suppressing age-related difficulties and even the prevention of disease. It is projected that the normal American eats 3 or less servings of fruits and vegetables every day.
There is no dispute about the nutritional value ofproduce. Contrary to some other foods, the portion suggestions for produce are not attached to an monetary profit for farmers or producers but rather the advice is completely for the wellbeing advantages of the consumer.
If you incorporate more fruits and vegetables to your pattern of eating you can expect to obtain many health advantages such as anti-aging and even fat loss. Produce is especially high in fiber, antioxidants, vitamins, minerals and phytonutrients that are all imperative to your excellent wellbeing.
There are also precise wellbeing advantages to be gained from a diet elevated in produce. Your cardio system will run better. A recent study from Harvard found that for every further serving of fruits and vegetables eaten day by day the risk of heart disease is diminished by as much as 4%. If you consume the suggested 5 servings the threat of stroke is lowered by as much as 26% and just including an assortment of healthy and nutritious produce to your daily eating habits can show the way to significantly lower blood pressure.
Science is furthermore continuing to realize the relationship between extraordinary items of produce ingestion and the lessening of cancers and other ailments. Antioxidants that are plentiful in items of produce have been verified to be powerful for cancer and disease prevention. Many declines with illness are caused by from undue free radicals in our bodies. Antioxidants come in and deactivate free radicals thereby preventing the injury that they can begin.
Fruits and vegetables also offers an advantage for your eyesight and vision. Countless items of produce are high in vitamin A, which is valuable for your eyesight but study has also discovered that consuming as little as cup of leafy greens every day will bring down the hazard of macular degeneration by as much as 43%.
A pattern of eating rich in fruits and vegetables will too recover your digestive wellbeing. You will have more energy and you will be healthier and stronger all around. Seek to consume more nourishing and nutritious items of produce and steer clear of very processed foods, deep fried foods, sugars and all junk foods.
Adding in more items of produce to your each day pattern of eating can only benefit your health. Aim to get in at minimum 5 or even added servings. Items of produce are liable to be low in calories and high in fiber and satiety power so the more you can devour the better.
The most important advantages of a pattern of eating excessive in items of produce for a long and healthy life. You can get more information about acai at AcaiWow.com. Plus find out more about super foods.
For more information go to www.maculardegenerationassociation.org
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
Popeye's spinach for good health
THERE WAS always a reason why mother encouraged you to eat your greens. Popeye took his daily dose of his favourite food, spinach, so he could boast of his muscular strength. We should be as smart as Popeye and eat more spinach in our diets.
Spinach has many health benefits and nutritional properties, yet it seems to be one of the most difficult vegetables to serve to picky children and adults. This slightly intimidating vegetable can be delicious if cooked in ways to allow you to get the most out of your greens.
The history of spinach dates back to fourth-century Persia when it made its way to China and Europe before arriving in the United States, now one of the vegetable's largest producers. Popular a la Florentine dishes pay tribute to spinach's royal heritage as the favourite vegetable of Catherine de Medici.
Health benefits of spinach
Popeye may have gained more benefit from spinach than just pumping up instant muscles. The bright green leafy vegetable also helped him fight off osteoporosis, heart disease, arthritis and several types of cancer. Spinach is also packed with vitamins, minerals, fibre, and antioxidants - ranking third behind garlic and another kale, another green.
In general, spinach is extremely beneficial to one's health for the following reasons:
Prevents eye disease: Spinach is good for eye disease, protecting against age-related macular degeneration (AMD), an eye disease affecting elderly people. Years of exposure to sunlight can damage the centre of your eye's retina, leading to macular degeneration and blindness.
Spinach has a detoxifying effect.
Cures gum diseases.
Cures anaemia.
Spinach is useful in the fight against cancer.
Thirteen different flavanoids that function as antioxidants and anti-cancer agents are found in spinach, Researchers have created specialised spinach extracts to use in controlled studies where they have been found to slow down cell division in stomach cancer cells, reduce skin cancers and reduce the incidence of breast, ovarian and prostate cancers.
Consuming spinach contributes to reduced risk of cardiovascular diseases.
Calcium in spinach prevents osteoporosis. Spinach also contains other bone-building nutrients such as calcium and magnesium.
Spinach gives a boost of energy with a high dosage of iron. However, spinach contains a chemical called oxalic acid, which binds with iron and calcium and reduces the amount your body can take in of these minerals. To improve iron absorption, eat your spinach with vitamin C-rich foods such as orange juice, tomatoes and citrus fruit.
For more information go to: www.maculardegenerationassociation.org
Spinach has many health benefits and nutritional properties, yet it seems to be one of the most difficult vegetables to serve to picky children and adults. This slightly intimidating vegetable can be delicious if cooked in ways to allow you to get the most out of your greens.
The history of spinach dates back to fourth-century Persia when it made its way to China and Europe before arriving in the United States, now one of the vegetable's largest producers. Popular a la Florentine dishes pay tribute to spinach's royal heritage as the favourite vegetable of Catherine de Medici.
Health benefits of spinach
Popeye may have gained more benefit from spinach than just pumping up instant muscles. The bright green leafy vegetable also helped him fight off osteoporosis, heart disease, arthritis and several types of cancer. Spinach is also packed with vitamins, minerals, fibre, and antioxidants - ranking third behind garlic and another kale, another green.
In general, spinach is extremely beneficial to one's health for the following reasons:
Prevents eye disease: Spinach is good for eye disease, protecting against age-related macular degeneration (AMD), an eye disease affecting elderly people. Years of exposure to sunlight can damage the centre of your eye's retina, leading to macular degeneration and blindness.
Spinach has a detoxifying effect.
Cures gum diseases.
Cures anaemia.
Spinach is useful in the fight against cancer.
Thirteen different flavanoids that function as antioxidants and anti-cancer agents are found in spinach, Researchers have created specialised spinach extracts to use in controlled studies where they have been found to slow down cell division in stomach cancer cells, reduce skin cancers and reduce the incidence of breast, ovarian and prostate cancers.
Consuming spinach contributes to reduced risk of cardiovascular diseases.
Calcium in spinach prevents osteoporosis. Spinach also contains other bone-building nutrients such as calcium and magnesium.
Spinach gives a boost of energy with a high dosage of iron. However, spinach contains a chemical called oxalic acid, which binds with iron and calcium and reduces the amount your body can take in of these minerals. To improve iron absorption, eat your spinach with vitamin C-rich foods such as orange juice, tomatoes and citrus fruit.
For more information go to: www.maculardegenerationassociation.org
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
The food you eat can save your eyesight
Have you wondered if your mom was right all along, and fish oil really is good for you? Wonder no more...studies show that fish oil, and many other foods and supplements can help your eyes remain healthy, and will also help you see better longer.
Proper nutrients can have significant impact on prevention of the following eye conditions:
• Dry eyes – Healthy tear film has 3 layers: mucin, the lubricant layer closest to the eye surface, aqueous, the intermediate layer, and lipid, the superficial layer of long chain fatty acids that protect aqueous layer from evaporating. Proper functioning of oil glands on the lid margins is necessary to maintain healthy lipid layer. Omega-3 and -6 fatty acids can help proper functioning of the oil glands and decrease eyelid inflammation.
• Cataracts – Oxidative stress is associated with cataract formation. Dietary anti-oxidants; vitamin C, E, and caratenoids have been associated with decreased risk of cataract formation.
• Macular degeneration – excellent vision is possible well into the golden years, providing the retina remains healthy. Age Related Eye Disease Study (AREDS), found that a combination consisting of vitamins C and E, beta-carotene, zinc, copper, lutein, and zeaxanthin helped those with intermediate or advanced macular degeneration. In addition, maintaining low glycemic blood index by consuming a diet rich in “good” carbohydrates, such as whole grains, helps protect the eyes from developing macular degeneration
.
Proper nutrients can improve healing after LASIK and PRK laser vision correction eye surgery.
• Omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acid supplements started a week prior to surgery and continued for at least three weeks after, improve tear film and reduce dryness after laser vision correction.
• Consider supplements formulated specifically for maintaining healthy tear film, such as Hydroeyes (www.sciencebasedhealth.com), for example.
Do’s and don’ts of nutritional supplements
• Do maintain appropriate balance between omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids in your diet. Too much omega-6 fatty acids; the typical American diet rich in meat and not enough grains and vegetables, may not be healthy, while a diet maintaining a 1:4 ratio of omega-3 to omega-6 fatty acid is more appropriate for eye health. This diet is typical in Mediterranean countries and includes a generous amount of whole grains, fresh fruits and vegetables, fish, olive oil, and garlic.
• Do make sure to take the right kind of omega-6 fatty acid supplements – gamma linolelenic acid (GLA). GLA comes from several plant-based oils including evening primrose oil (EPO), borage oil, and black currant seed oil.
• Don’t exceed recommended daily doses of vitamins, especially Vitamin A. In the AREDS study, these were the vitamin doses that were found to reduce the age related macular degeneration: Vitamin C - 250 mg; Vitamin E - 400 IU; Vitamin A (as beta-carotene) - 15 mg; Zinc (as zinc oxide) - 80 mg; Copper (as cupric oxide) - 2 mg.
• Don’t count on nutritional supplements to treat cataracts. Once cataracts develop, the only cure is surgery.
Proper nutrients can have significant impact on prevention of the following eye conditions:
• Dry eyes – Healthy tear film has 3 layers: mucin, the lubricant layer closest to the eye surface, aqueous, the intermediate layer, and lipid, the superficial layer of long chain fatty acids that protect aqueous layer from evaporating. Proper functioning of oil glands on the lid margins is necessary to maintain healthy lipid layer. Omega-3 and -6 fatty acids can help proper functioning of the oil glands and decrease eyelid inflammation.
• Cataracts – Oxidative stress is associated with cataract formation. Dietary anti-oxidants; vitamin C, E, and caratenoids have been associated with decreased risk of cataract formation.
• Macular degeneration – excellent vision is possible well into the golden years, providing the retina remains healthy. Age Related Eye Disease Study (AREDS), found that a combination consisting of vitamins C and E, beta-carotene, zinc, copper, lutein, and zeaxanthin helped those with intermediate or advanced macular degeneration. In addition, maintaining low glycemic blood index by consuming a diet rich in “good” carbohydrates, such as whole grains, helps protect the eyes from developing macular degeneration
.
Proper nutrients can improve healing after LASIK and PRK laser vision correction eye surgery.
• Omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acid supplements started a week prior to surgery and continued for at least three weeks after, improve tear film and reduce dryness after laser vision correction.
• Consider supplements formulated specifically for maintaining healthy tear film, such as Hydroeyes (www.sciencebasedhealth.com), for example.
Do’s and don’ts of nutritional supplements
• Do maintain appropriate balance between omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids in your diet. Too much omega-6 fatty acids; the typical American diet rich in meat and not enough grains and vegetables, may not be healthy, while a diet maintaining a 1:4 ratio of omega-3 to omega-6 fatty acid is more appropriate for eye health. This diet is typical in Mediterranean countries and includes a generous amount of whole grains, fresh fruits and vegetables, fish, olive oil, and garlic.
• Do make sure to take the right kind of omega-6 fatty acid supplements – gamma linolelenic acid (GLA). GLA comes from several plant-based oils including evening primrose oil (EPO), borage oil, and black currant seed oil.
• Don’t exceed recommended daily doses of vitamins, especially Vitamin A. In the AREDS study, these were the vitamin doses that were found to reduce the age related macular degeneration: Vitamin C - 250 mg; Vitamin E - 400 IU; Vitamin A (as beta-carotene) - 15 mg; Zinc (as zinc oxide) - 80 mg; Copper (as cupric oxide) - 2 mg.
• Don’t count on nutritional supplements to treat cataracts. Once cataracts develop, the only cure is surgery.
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