Search

Cardiologists Nieca Goldberg, Joann Manson and Lori Mosca present their views on the best ways to avoid heart disease. They all place strong emphasis on exercise, while Mosca also discusses the importance of healthy eating.

Issues are presented concerning the benefits which can be gained from the use of strength training exercises as a means of reducing the impact of osteoporosis in women. A selection of exercises is described.

Issues are presented concerning the detrimental effect on health of too much iron stored in the body. Scientists now believe that excess intake of iron may be worse for heath than too little.

The belief that all kinds of fats prompt weight gain and increase the risk of heart disease is inaccurate. Nutrition scientists have found monounsaturated fats, polyunsaturated fats and omega-3 fatty acids to be 'good fats' that should be included in the regular diet.

An active lifestyle and a diet consisting mainly of vegetables and rice or noodles are the reasons why the Chinese are healthier than Americans. The latter lead sedentary lives and eat rich foods that are prevalent in post-industrial societies.

Canadian scientist Claude Bouchard is slowly making headway to discovering reasons for the variances in genetic aspects among people pertaining to body structure, weight gain, weight control and exercise, among others. Bouchard is not probing which genes regulate how quickly people gain weight or get in shape.

Obesity rates are increasing in the United States and combined with this is a rise in the incidence of diabetes. Nutrition scientist Barbara Moore feels diabetes could become a national health crisis and exercise such as walking needs to be promoted.

The attempts of nutritionist Marion Nestle to counter the influence of food manufacturers on the eating preferences of people are discussed. Her beliefs in the nutritional value of vegetables and in the importance of not overeating are considered.

The benefits of community-supported agriculture are explored. The movement enables consumers to pre-purchase part of the stock of local farmers, giving them easy access to organic produce whilst supporting local farms.

Low carbohydrate, high protein diets are popular because they work. Some people can lose large amounts of weight on these plans but they are a short-term solution, says Professor Marion Nestle, chair of the department of nutrition and food studies at New York University.

Information on the tests that active women need to be properly evaluated for their risk of heart disease is offered. Suggestions include getting a blood cholesterol test every five years. Tips on interpreting the tests are included.

Scientists from reputable institutions such as New York Medical Center and Vanderbilt University in Tennessee are proving that magnets do have therapeutic properties. Primarily used to alleviate pain, researchers are still at a loss how magnets affect the body.

Issues are presented concerning the breeding of a pig which produces lean pork. The treatment of pigs in intensive pig farming units is discussed. A recipe for Sage Pesto Pork Roast with Apricot and Prune Chutney is included.

Issues are presented concerning the benefits which can be gained by certain groups of people from genetic testing. The services offered by gene counselors to those at risk from genetically inherited disease are discussed.

It is now possible to purchase very fresh shellfish even a long distance from the coast. Mollusks contain high levels of omega-3 fatty acids, and are also low in fat in cholesterol. It is worth trying mussels, which are inexpensive and easy to prepare.

Issues concerning the health benefits of berries are discussed. Particular attention is given to the nutritional values of wild blueberries, including antibacterial agents, folic acid and vitamin C. It is emphasized that eating berries can improve health.

Issues concerning the increase in the number of asthmatic women are discussed. Particular attention is given to descriptions of the symptoms specific to asthma sufferers and to ways of controling and monitoring the disease.

Chicken soup has a reputation for being a cure for a cold and research by the University of Nebraska has shown it can be beneficial. A recipe for an Italian chicken escarole soup is presented.

Benecol, a commercial substitute for butter, has been proved to reduce LDL cholesterol and lower the risk of heart disease. Benecol has also been allowed to put these claims on its labeling as studies have shown it is more effective than cholesterol-lowering drugs.

Issues are presented concerning the health benefits which can be gained from the use of fruit and nuts as desserts. The increasing rates of type 2 diabetes are discussed. A recipe for Roasted Pears is included.

The ability of vitamin E to act as an antioxidant has given rise to the belief that it can prolong life and health. Issues concerning the importance of vitamin E are presented, with reference to the National Institute of Medicine's announcement that the daily recommended dose should be increased by 3 milligrams.

It has been suggested that engineered genes are in half the processed foods that are available in American supermarkets. Issues concerning the safety of genetically modified food are presented.

Issues are presented concerning the importance of exercise and diet for the development and maintenance of healthy bones. The value of exercise for the strengthening of bones is discussed.

An increasing number of teenagers have become vegetarians partly from the belief that meat should not be eaten. Parents are advised to be supportive of their children who decide to be vegetarians. There is no need for them to worry since their children can get all the nutrients they need without eating meat.