Health Advice/Discussion

Tu_triky wrote:Yup...because all the phytonutrients are in the pigments of fruits and vegetables. That's why they always say eat the skin...and that's why it's preferable to buy organic because just as the skin has most of the phytonutrition...it also has all the friekin' pesticides in it too. At the very least wash that ish before you eat it. :P

Then I should get back in the habit of ordering potato skins... With bacon. :mrgreen: :beaten: :rolleyes: :hehe:

bmwracer wrote:
Then I should get back in the habit of ordering potato skins... With bacon. :mrgreen: :beaten: :rolleyes: :hehe:

:lol:

Bacon the great Nutrition Nullifier. :beaten:

In the case of potatoes, by the way, not only is the phytonutrition in the skin but most of the potassium is in the skins too....in fact potatoes are one of the foods highest in potassium.

bmwracer wrote:
Then I should get back in the habit of ordering potato skins... With bacon. :mrgreen: :beaten: :rolleyes: :hehe:

And sour cream and cheddar cheese. :drooling:

Tu_triky wrote:In the case of potatoes, by the way, not only is the phytonutrition in the skin but most of the potassium is in the skins too....in fact potatoes are one of the foods highest in potassium.

Right... Maybe I should start eating spuds again. :victory:

bmwracer wrote:
Right... Maybe I should start eating spuds again. :victory:

I eat them steamed, usually, every so often...:)

Tu_triky wrote:I eat them steamed, usually, every so often...:)

I would typically microwave them for about 3-5 minutes, then bake 'em in the oven 'til the skin got nice 'n' crisp. :victory:

You guys are just making me hungry for a baked potato. :(

bmwracer wrote:
I would typically microwave them for about 3-5 minutes, then bake 'em in the oven 'til the skin got nice 'n' crisp. :victory:

That sounds good, man!

Tu_triky wrote:That sounds good, man!

Quite good, especially with a healthy (no pun intended) dollop of sour cream and fresh-cut chives...

From The Dallas Morning News:

Six foods that ward off aging

07:53 PM CDT on Saturday, September 27, 2008
By NANCY CHURNIN

There might not be a fountain of youth, but there might be a pantry of youth. People who stock up on the right foods can turn back the clock, according to Karen Ansel, a dietitian and author of "The Anti-Aging Diet" story in last month's Family Circle. Ditch red meat, full-fat dairy, soft drinks, cookies, cakes, white flour and fried and packaged foods, she advises. Add these to your diet instead:

¡ Spinach: It's loaded with Vitamin K, which can improve bone density and lower the risk of hip fracture. Plus, it's the No. 1 source of zeaxanthin and lutein, nutrients that soak up harmful light before it can damage the retinas in your eyes, meaning spinach helps to prevent macular degeneration and blindness.

¡ Strawberries: They are rich in polyphenols, which improve memory and communication by promoting signals between cells.

¡ Curry powder: It's full of the antioxidant curcumin, which wards off Alzheimer's disease by preventing the growth of amyloid plaques, which are toxic to brain cells. In parts of India, where it is eaten daily, the Alzheimer's rate is one-fourth that of the U.S.

¡ Tomatoes: They're packed with lycopene, which protects skin from the oxidation that results from sun damage and leads to wrinkles. Adding a little olive oil helps you absorb lycopene even better.

¡ Almonds: They're brimming with vitamin E, which neutralizes free radicals in your muscles and nervous system and enhances speed, coordination and balance.

¡ Dark chocolate: It's flowing with flavanols, which are plant chemicals that encourage blood vessels to relax. That results in lower blood pressure, reducing the risk of heart attack and stroke. Plus, it makes us happy.

bmwracer wrote:From The Dallas Morning News:

Six foods that ward off aging

07:53 PM CDT on Saturday, September 27, 2008
By NANCY CHURNIN

There might not be a fountain of youth, but there might be a pantry of youth. People who stock up on the right foods can turn back the clock, according to Karen Ansel, a dietitian and author of "The Anti-Aging Diet" story in last month's Family Circle. Ditch red meat, full-fat dairy, soft drinks, cookies, cakes, white flour and fried and packaged foods, she advises. Add these to your diet instead:

¡ Spinach: It's loaded with Vitamin K, which can improve bone density and lower the risk of hip fracture. Plus, it's the No. 1 source of zeaxanthin and lutein, nutrients that soak up harmful light before it can damage the retinas in your eyes, meaning spinach helps to prevent macular degeneration and blindness.

Vitamin K also removes calcium from soft tissues like your arteries and allows for such calcium to be redeposited in the bones and teeth where they belong.

¡ Strawberries: They are rich in polyphenols, which improve memory and communication by promoting signals between cells.

By weight, also has more Vitamin C than the venerable Orange.

¡ Curry powder: It's full of the antioxidant curcumin, which wards off Alzheimer's disease by preventing the growth of amyloid plaques, which are toxic to brain cells. In parts of India, where it is eaten daily, the Alzheimer's rate is one-fourth that of the U.S.

Curcumin also known as Turmeric is a powerful anti-inflammatory and a good digestive aid.

¡ Tomatoes: They're packed with lycopene, which protects skin from the oxidation that results from sun damage and leads to wrinkles. Adding a little olive oil helps you absorb lycopene even better.

Helps combat cancer, particularly prostate cancer

¡ Almonds: They're brimming with vitamin E, which neutralizes free radicals in your muscles and nervous system and enhances speed, coordination and balance.

Also high in minerals.

¡ Dark chocolate: It's flowing with flavanols, which are plant chemicals that encourage blood vessels to relax. That results in lower blood pressure, reducing the risk of heart attack and stroke. Plus, it makes us happy.

Also a good source of magnesium...


Btw, I went to get some Oi-Ocha the other day...the green tea was calling to me after reading your reference to it earlier. :mrgreen: <---Green

^ Great additional info. :victory:

Thing is, does anyone else read/care about this stuff other than the two of us? :sweat:

bmwracer wrote:^ Great additional info. :victory:

Thing is, does anyone else read/care about this stuff other than the two of us? :sweat:

I always read this thread, even if I don't post in it! I have nothing to add usually, so I read for the info and knowledge. :D

bmwracer wrote:^ Great additional info. :victory:

Thing is, does anyone else read/care about this stuff other than the two of us? :sweat:

S'all good...at least we help educate one another...and whoever else chooses to read. :victory:

I read all the stuff you post in this thread. :)

Wynter wrote:

I always read this thread, even if I don't post in it! I have nothing to add usually, so I read for the info and knowledge. :D

Word. Yeah, there are a few threads that I frequent, although I rarely post in.

Tu_triky wrote:

Word. Yeah, there are a few threads that I frequent, although I rarely post in.

Yup! The Japan thread is another one for me. Always read it. I'll prolly start posting more in the Japan Travel thread when it gets closer to my trip date (March), but for now I'm just soaking up the info. :)

Wynter wrote:

Yup! The Japan thread is another one for me. Always read it. I'll prolly start posting more in the Japan Travel thread when it gets closer to my trip date (March), but for now I'm just soaking up the info. :)

I feel ya. You definitely have something to look forward to. :)

Green tea reduces body fat and cardiovascular risks

A new Japanese study found a green tea extract high in catechins reduced body fat and contributed to a decrease in cardiovascular risks in 240 men and women. Previous studies using green tea as an anti-obesity agent were conducted either on a small-scale, under a low calorie diet, or were gender-biased. The recent trial examined the effects of a green tea extract containing 583 mg of catechins on visceral fat and on risk factors of cardiovascular disease. The participants maintained their lifestyle and usual diet and consumed their green tea beverage everyday within one hour of their evening meal for twelve weeks. At the end of the twelve weeks, the ingestion of the green tea extract high in catechins led to significant decreases in BMI, body fat mass, as well as waist and hip circumference. For example, women lost almost 3 cm off their waist while men dropped over 2.5% of body fat. Likewise, there was a reduction in LDL cholesterol and for those participants with mild hypertension, a significant reduction in systolic blood pressure. Since visceral fat is a primary determinant of the metabolic syndrome, these findings suggest that a green tea extract high in catechins may also reduce the risk for this condition. This larger, more-inclusive study confirmed previous results and more importantly, did so without the need for any lifestyle changes.

Journal: Obesity (Silver Spring). 2007 Jun;15(6):1473-83.

^ We should open our green tea answer to Starbucks. :victory:

bmwracer wrote:^ We should open our green tea answer to Starbucks. :victory:

Seriously. Starbucks vs. Greenlucks.

:hehe: