THE Japanese have had a reputation as the world leaders in business. Now a group of Scottish businessmen have taken a leaf out of the books of their eastern counterparts – to see if the Japanese diet and way of life improves their professional performance.
The team of 11 have been used as guinea pigs to "turn Japanese" and see if the low-fat food and fish oils will fight the negative health effects caused by a bad day at the office.
The test, led by Dr Tom Gilhooly, of Glasgow Health Solutions, saw the team of volunteers from South Lanark Chamber of Commerce take Omega 3 supplements to mimic the Japanese diet. By the end of the trial, almost all of the businessmen had as much Omega 3 as those living in a typical Japanese fishing village, who have low incidences of heart disease.
Gilhooly tells us: "Our Scottish-based study has specifically addressed the situations in which businessmen commonly find themselves. It has shown that those suffering high levels of stress can significantly reduce their risk of this leading to a cardiac problem, by taking Omega-3 supplementation."
Worth pondering the next time you tuck into a pudding supper.
5 Foods for Healthier Skin
Posted Mon, Jan 28, 2008, 4:39 pm PST
You can invest half your paycheck in serums and creams - even splurge on dermal fillers and pricey facials - but none of it will get you far without a skin-friendly diet.
Of course, your skin (and the rest of you, for that matter) is best served by a well-rounded diet, including healthy fats, sufficient protein, and lots of fruits and vegetables. But there are a few nutritional standouts that make particularly important contributions to strong, glowing skin:
1. Fish: Fatty fish like salmon, tilapia, and cod are rich in omega-3 fatty acids. And that's a good thing, because our bodies cannot produce those essential lipids naturally. By adding omega-3s to your diet, though, you can bolster your skin barrier - that is, the layer of lipids that holds onto moisture and keeps irritants out.
There is even evidence that the skin-strengthening effects of omega-3s can improve chronic skin conditions like rosacea and atopic dermatitis, but more research is necessary to confirm that link.
Furthermore, many types of fish (like, once again, salmon and cod) are rich in vitamin D - as dermatologists increasingly emphasize sun avoidance, we also need to emphasize the importance of finding other sources of this vitamin, which is produced during sun exposure.
Don't eat fish? Many eggs are now fortified with omega-3 fatty acids, and plant sources include flax seed and flax seed oil, walnuts, pecans, and hazelnuts. And a daily vitamin D supplement is a good idea for vegans and meat-eaters alike.
2. Green Tea: It's inexpensive, easy to add to your routine, and one of the best-researched and most powerful antioxidants around. That's why green tea is my go-to antioxidant: I drink at least three cups a day to fight aging and inflammation. Some studies even suggest that the antioxidants in green tea reduce one's risk of skin cancer. So put down that soda and start drinking your way to healthier skin!
3. Broccoli: Rich in vitamins A, C, and K (among many other nutrients), this veggie does more than its fair share of nutritional work. Vitamin A decreases oil production, vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant, and vitamin K can help prevent bruises. So whatever ails you, this green wonderfood might be just what the doctor ordered.
4. Safflower or Sunflower Oil: Omega-3s get a lot more talk, but omega-6 fatty acids - like the linoleic acid in these two oils - are also important for healthy skin. Like omega-3s, they help prevent dry skin and inflammation; they're also essential for the formation of prostaglandins, hormones that keep all the cells of the body functioning well.
While many diets are actually quite high in omega-6s - sometimes even too high - the key is to get the good ones and not unhealthy versions, like hydrogenated oils. So try sautéing your salmon or broccoli in a little safflower or sunflower oil and double those skin-soothing benefits!
5. Almonds: When it comes to boosting skin's defenses against aging, inflammation, and even skin cancer, antioxidants are so important that I'm going to add another to my list: A handful of almonds every day boosts your levels of vitamin E, one of the most important antioxidants for skin health. Studies also suggest that consuming vitamin E orally can increase the levels of this moisturizing vitamin on your skin's surface - great news for anyone prone to dry skin.
Fish, O.K. replace the green tea with cherry coke, the broccoli with Ben & Jerry's Ice cream, and the almonds with 3 Musketeers and we're in business!! :woot:
gaijinmark wrote:Fish, O.K. replace the green tea with cherry coke, the broccoli with Ben & Jerry's Ice cream, and the almonds with 3 Musketeers and we're in business!! :woot:
With those changes you're on your way....the wrong way. :beaten: