ALCOHOL AND GOOD CHOLESTEROL
Recent research shows that moderate drinking may help your blood cholesterol levels. Researchers studied about 80,000 Chinese men and women who ranged from moderate drinkers to heavy drinkers, they followed the group for more than six years. The study found that good cholesterol lowered in all participants, it declined slowest in moderate drinkers. Researchers define moderate drinkers as one half to one alcoholic drink a day for women and and one to two drinks a day for men. Overall the moderate group of beer drinkers scored the best results.
FAT VS FAT
In a French study, men who consumed either emulsified fat (like whole milk) or a fat spread (like butter) as part of their breakfast. Two hours later, the men who’d been given the emulsified fat had burned off 7% more of it than those who had eaten the spread. The reason: Your intestines may absorb emulsified fat better and faster, researchers say.
HEALTH TIP
Chlorella, barley grass, wheat grass, and many green drinks contain natural detoxification agents that pull toxins and heavy metals from tissues in the body for disposal. Exercise, sweating, and saunas are also natural methods for removing toxins from the body through the skin. Detoxification requires additional water intake to prevent dehydration. Consider any or all of these methods of detoxification when toxic overload is suspected.
DID YOU KNOW
The average American consumes 193 pounds of genetically engineered food a year. Source: Environmental Working Group
LOWER BP IN BLENDER
In a study from Spain, people who ate about 1 cup of gazpacho a week were 27% less likely to have hypertension than people who went without the soup. Tomatoes, the main ingredient, contain carotenoids, vitamin C, and polyenois – antioxidants that can raise levels of nitric oxide, a molecule that helps blood vessels dilate. The olive oil and other vegetables in gazpacho have similarly beneficial effects, the study found.
QUICK GAZPACHO RECIPE
Chop the veggies roughly and then blend all ingredients in a food processor to a rough puree. Season with salt and pepper, chill and eat.
Ingredients:
2 large ripe tomatoes, cored
1 cucumber, peeled and seeded
1 green bell pepper, seeded
2 garlic cloves, peeled
2 tbsp olive oil
1 tbsp red-wine vinegar
HIT THE SAND
Researchers in Italy say; sand may be the best workout surface for big gains. Researchers had soccer players sprint on sand, grass, and turf, and discovered that the sand surface led to greater power output and caloric burn. It also had less impact on the players’ joints. The reason: On sand, your foot slips and sinks, this forces your lower-leg muscles to do more work, says study author.
VITAMIN D FIGHTS RESPIRATORY ILLNESS
High doses of vitamin D might cut risk of deadly respiratory viruses in older people. Those with weakened immune systems have higher death rates. Pneumonia, bronchitis, and the flu are viruses and can not be fought with antibiotics. Researchers a the University of Colorado say that higher doses of vitamin D may lead to a substantial reduction in acute infections by as much a 40%. Vitamin D strengthen the immune systems ability to fight infections.
STRUGGLE WITH WEIGHT-LOSS DISCIPLINE
A study from Brown University’s Alpert School of Medicine shows that you can build willpower just like muscle – by exercising it. People who stuck to a diet and exercise regimen not only lost weight but also did better on a test of self-control after 6 months. If you need help staying on track at first, go with a structured program, says study author.
5 LEADING CAUSES OF DEATH IN U.S.
The CDC has released the 5 leading causes of death in the United States among people under the age of 80 in 2014. Heart disease remains number one killer with more than 614,000 deaths. Cancer was second with more than 591,000. Chronic lower respiratory was next followed by accidents, and strokes.
FOOD TIP
When a savory dish needs salt, try a squeeze of lemon instead. A hit of citrus can make the whole recipe come to life.
FITNESS SALVATION 