October 5, 2009

Three Ways to Help Children Eat Healthy

Every parent wants their child to be healthy and energetic, but many will choose to avoid confrontation when it comes to eating habits. Below are three ways to help children eat healthy. 1) Don't Tell Them It's Healthy: For children, the term "healthy" quickly develops a negative association. They will automatically assume anything you call healthy is not going to be sweet, and won't taste very good. It creates a situation when you struggle to get your children to try anything healthy for them. You can re-establish a positive association by placing healthy snacks in special containers like cartoon characters. Making the special containers exclusive to their healthy snacks can add to the positive association. 2) Make The Food Interesting: A creative way to improve children's eating habits is to arrange the food in a new and interesting way. Cutting up vegetables and using the pieces to build an animal or vehicle will shift their focus away from the food, and onto the object you've created. Your kids will take great pleasure in destroying your creation one healthy piece at a time. And 3) Let Them Choose A Healthy Snack: Children are told what to do all day long, which feeds into their need to capture some control of daily activities. You can take advantage of this desire by giving them the authority to choose a healthy snack. Give them two or three options, all healthy, and tell them they can choose whichever they want. A good trick is to add a healthy snack you know they hate. Introducing the snack they hate first, will make the subsequent choices more appealing Ashley Greene Trudy says It's always good to find out specific healthy foods for your child through a blood test done with their own blood cells. Then, you will know the best choices and the worst choices for them in particular! You can click on food testing on our website to read more about it!
T.E

August 13, 2009

C3 Curcumin

Doctor, I can't remember anything! I forgot what happened yesterday.
I forgot what my car looks like. I can't even remember my own name.
How long have you had this problem?
What problem?

A combination of vitamin D3 and curcumin, from turmeric,
may boost the immune system, and help clear the protein
plaques linked to Alzheimer's, says a new study. Previous research by same scientists found that there are two types of Alzheimer's patients: Type 1 patients, who respond positively to curcuminoids and Type II patients, who do not. This depends on the genes MGAT III and TLR-3 that are associated with the immune system's ability to better ingest amyloid beta, said the researchers. C3 Curcumin Complex is a patented, unique composition of three bioactive, health-promoting curcuminoids: Curcumin, Bisdemethoxy curcumin, and
Demethoxy curcumin. These are the strongest, most proactive and best researched constituents of the herb turmeric.


Source: 1a, 25-dihydroxyvitamin D {3} Interacts with Curcuminoids to Stimulate Amyloid-B
Clearance by Macrophages of Alzheimer's Disease Patients

Benefits shown in research using curcumin extracts:

IMMUNE SYSTEM REGULATION
· Inflammation - injury, post-operative,
joint wear and tear (osteoarthritis)
· Allergic reactions - asthma
· Autoimmune activity reduction-
rheumatoid arthritis and multiple sclerosis in
animals
· NK cell activity increase
· Reduced cancer development and spread
in certain animal models of carcinogenesis:
breast, prostate, colon, pancreatic,
glioma, ovarian
ANTIMICROBIAL
· Antiviral Epstein Barr and HIV virus
· Antibacterial, antiparasitic1
GI PROTECTION & HEALING
· stomach ulcer, Crohn's or proctitis
CARDIOVASCULAR PROTECTION
· reduces cholesterol oxidation and levels,
increases HDL
· reduces fibrinogen
· reduces platelet aggregation
BRAIN PROTECTION
· reduced brain damage following ischemia
(reduced blood flow)
· reduced development and regression of
Alzheimer's disease progression in animal
models
· reduced gliomas (brain tumors)
· antidepressant effects
LIVER PROTECTION from alcohol and
aflatoxin (peanut fungus)
TOXIC METAL CHELATOR
· Effective chelator of copper and iron
ANTIOXIDANT
BILE SUPPORT
· enhances bile flow and solubility


Trudy's Comments:

There are certain conditions where curcumin is not recommended so do not take it without supervision!


April 30, 2009

Great Recipe!

Notable Nutrients
(2 medium green kiwifruit)

Calories: 92
Vitamin A: 266 International Units (5% DV)
Vitamin C: 114 milligrams (190% DV)
Vitamin E: 2 milligrams (10% DV)
Magnesium: 46 milligrams (12% DV)
Potassium: 504 milligrams (13% DV)
Fiber: 5.2 grams (16% DV)
Lutein + Zeaxanthin: 181 micrograms

DV= Daily Value



Kiwi and Quinoa Salad

1/2 cup of quinoa
2 green kiwifruit, peeled, quartered, sliced
2 gold kiwifruit, peeled, quartered, sliced
1 cup red seedless grapes, cut in half
1 cup cherry tomatoes
1/4 cup red onion, diced
2 tablespoon olive oil
2 tablespoon red wine vinegar
1 tablespoon sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon black pepper, ground


1. Rinse quinoa under running water for one minute.

2. Place quinoa and one cup water in medium saucepan. Bring to a boil over high heat. Simmer for 15 to 20 minutes or until all water is absorbed. Fluff with fork and let cool completely.

3. Place quinoa in a large bowl. Add kiwi, grapes, tomatoes and onions; set aside.

4. In small bowl, whisk together the oil, vinegar, sugar, salt and pepper. Pour over quinoa mixture, tossing slightly until blended. Serve immediately.

Serves six.

Nutrition Information Per Serving:
155 calories, 3 grams protein, 6 grams fat, 23 grams carbohydrates, 54 grams vitamin C, 31 grams folate, 33 milligrams magnesium, 343 milligrams potassium, 3 grams fiber, 100 milligrams sodium.

Recipe courtesy of Zespri Kiwifruit.

April 14, 2009

Why Designs for Health?

Hi All,

Are you enjoying your fabulous Designs for Health products?!? I have been enthralled with my personal use of DFH products for 10 years now!

Here is an article that I read on-line this morning, which is one of the reasons I use Designs for Health products. ALL ingredients are listed on the labels and they are third party tested prior to each batch being released which is part of the requirements of being USP grade. There are no magic pills to create health. It has to become lifestyle.

Trudy


US regulators warn about some Web-sold diet pills which they say are dangerous
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

WASHINGTON - The U.S. government is warning dieters to avoid close to 30 weight-loss products that contain unlisted and possibly dangerous ingredients.

The pills are advertised as "natural" fat busters and have intriguing names like Imelda Perfect Slim and Zhen de Shou. Some suggest they are innovative "herbal" remedies from Asia.
The Food and Drug Administration says the concoctions contain unlisted ingredients. including powerful appetite-suppressing drugs and a suspected carcinogen.
The FDA says the pills pose a risk to the public health because they contain undeclared ingredients and in some cases prescription drugs in amounts that greatly exceed their maximum recommended dosages.
FDA lab testing found 28 dietary supplements that could land unsuspecting users in a hospital emergency room.
Many contain sibutramine, a powerful appetite suppressant that is a chemical cousin of amphetamines. It can cause heart attacks, strokes, heart palpitations and other problems.
Some contain phenolphthalein, a chemical long used as a laxative, but which is now being withdrawn from the market because of cancer risks.
None of the supplements lists the dangerous ingredients on the label.
The FDA is considering criminal charges against some of the companies, because they have not responded to requests for recalls.


The products are:
Fatloss Slimming, 2 Day Diet, 3x Slimming Power. 5x Imelda Perfect Slimming, 3 Day Diet Japan Lingzhi, 24 Hour Diet, 7 Diet Day/Night Formula, 7 day Herbal Slim, * Factor Diet, 999 Fitness Essence, Extrim Plus and GMP.

Also,
Imelda Perfect Slim, Lida DaiDaihua, Miaozi Slim Capsules, Perfect Slim, Perfect Slim 5x, Phyto Shape, ProSlim Plus, Royal Slimming Formula, Slim 3 in 1, Slim Express 360, Slimtech, Somotrin, Superslim, TripleSlim, Zhen de Shou, Venom Hyperdrive 3.0

P.S. In June, all nutraceutical companies will be under FDA control.

March 12, 2009


Trudy’s Take
- I just love documenting new information which confirms or refutes previous information! Hope you enjoy these!


•Maintaining healthy blood sugar levels helps preserve brain function as you age, whether or not you have diabetes, according to researchers from Columbia University Medical Center in New York City. They used magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to scan the brains of 240 whose average age was 80. The MRIs showed that the area of the brain related to age-related cognitive decline was damaged by high blood sugar levels. The researchers concluded that lowering blood sugar might benefit cognition in older people and suggested that exercise could help.
-Annals of Neurology, December 2008.



•A high intake of meat and fat seems linked to a higher risk of ovarian cancer. That’s what Australian researchers concluded after studying the dietary habits of 1,460 women, half of whom had ovarian cancer; the other half were healthy. Women with a pattern of eating that included the most meat and fat were two and a half times more likely to have ovarian cancer than those whose eating pattern was least tied to meat and fat. Wine also was linked to much less risk, whereas as fruit and vegetables seemed to offer no protection.
-The American journal of Clinical Nutrition, January 2009.



•Cranberry extract is almost as effective as antibiotics for delaying the recurrence of chronic urinary tract infections (UTI) in women. So Scottish researchers found, when they tested 137 women who had been treated with antibiotics for at least two UTI in the previous year. Half of the women got 500 milligrams a day of cranberry extract; the other half got the antibiotic trimethroprim (100 milligrams daily) for six months. Not only was the cranberry extract nearly as affective as the antibiotic, but it had fewer side effects.
-Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy, February 2009.

November 25, 2008

Save Thanksgiving!

Save Thanksgiving – and Your Taste Buds

Thanksgiving: the holiday that tempts you to toss nutritional judgment out the window for an all-day smorgasbord of eating and drinking until you can't sit up. You've heard the advice about portion control and carb-overloading, but what about all that stuffing, mashed potatoes, and pie? Is it possible to enjoy Thanksgiving and keep some of that nutritional judgment in check?

Quick fixes

Small changes in recipes can make a big difference nutrition-wise. What they say is true: you can gain up to five pounds during the holiday season. Save yourself hundreds of calories and numerous grams of fat and carbohydrates with some simple tweaking of those cherished family dishes.
Below are some star ingredients in traditional Thanksgiving dishes, along with healthier substitutions that will let you maintain the same flavor.


Instead of

Try

¼ cup sour cream

¼ cup low-fat or fat-free plain Greek yogurt

2 Tbsp mayonnaise (for salads)

1 Tbsp mayonnaise + 1 Tbsp plain, low-fat or fat-free Greek or regular yogurt + pinch of lemon zest or splash of hot pepper sauce

1 Tbsp butter (in baking or sautéing)

1 ½ tsp canola, olive or other heart-friendly oil + 1
tsp butter

1 cup sugar (in baking)

¾ cup turbinado sugar + pinch of sweet spice, such
as ground cinnamon, and/or extra ¼ tsp vanilla
extract

1 oz regular cheese

¾ oz high-flavored regular cheese, such as extra sharp cheddar instead of mild cheddar cheese

1 oz chocolate

3 Tbsp unsweetened natural cocoa powder + 1 Tbsp canola oil

1 cup bleached all-purpose flour (in baking)

½ cup unbleached all-purpose flour + 1/3 c up whole wheat flour

1 tsp salt

½ tsp sea salt + up to twice the amount of herbs or spices already in recipe

¼ cup vinaigrette

¼ cup natural low-fat vinaigrette or puree of ¼ cup cubed fruit + 1 Tbsp oil + 1 Tbsp vinegar



These substitutions are taken from the American Diabetes Association's world-renown All-Natural Diabetes Cookbook, by Jackie Newgent, RD. ©2007 by the American Diabetes Association.


Trudy's Comments:

If you'd like to e-mail us with your success stories of your Thanksgiving meal changes after the Thanksgiving weekend, we would love to hear from you!

trudyephd@earthlink.net


July 18, 2008

Multivitamins Exposed!

Multivitamins Exposed

Recently, a supplement-testing company published their findings that 11 popular multivitamins that they tested had problems.... big problems. Included in the analysis were popular vitamins from Swanson, Nature's Plus, The Vitamin Shoppe, Andrew Weil M.D. and Hero Nutritionals. One was contaminated with lead, several were found not to disintegrate, some were sub potent in listed nutrients, and one actually contained no amount of several vitamins listed on the label.



Dr Ekstrom's Comments:

I pride myself on prescribing nutritional supplements that are verified by independent laboratory testing to guarantee potency, authenticity, and to ensure herbal and nutritional ingredients have maximum freedom from contamination (heavy metals, chemical solvent residue, aflatoxins, herbicides and pesticides, bacteria & mold). Would you want it any other way? I wouldn't. I took the time to find companies that offer objective evidence and proof of their comprehensive testing practices and results.





CAN'T GET ENOUGH VITAMIN D NEWS!

Every time I pick up a medical journal, there is another exciting study about the benefits of Vitamin D. In December 2006, the Journal of American Medical Association reported that higher levels of vitamin D may reduce the risk of developing multiple sclerosis by up to 62%. Add this to studies showing that vitamin D helps to prevent osteoporosis, depression, hypertension, colon cancer, breast cancer, prostate cancer, and high cholesterol, it is easy to understand why we all need to have our vitamin D levels checked on a regular basis.