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Magnesium and Health: A deficiency (1 in 2) can affect memory

Thursday, July 29th, 2010

Half the population of industrialized countries has a magnesium deficiency. Fourth most abundant mineral in the body, magnesium, essential for health and memory, could play an even more important for the healthy functioning of nerve cells in what was considered until now, a study suggests published in the journal Neuron.

Fillet of Halibut with Fresh Vegetables

Dr. Inna Slutsky’s work and his colleagues have shown that rodents with a diet containing a healthy intake of magnesium, the addition of magnesium-L-theronate (MGT), newly developed by the research team, improved memory among young and elderly subjects.

Those who received the supplement had improved cognitive functioning and they showed an increase of synapses in the brain (nerve endings that transmit information). The levels of magnesium in the cerebrospinal fluid was increased.

Magnesium supplements are currently marketed, however, are not effective because they do not cross the blood-brain barrier. The new addition will soon be tested in clinical trials.

In the meantime, researchers recommend to improve the intake of magnesium is found in many foods, including beans, dark chocolate, leafy vegetables, broccoli, almonds, cashew nuts and fruit. The benefits do not appear in a single day but are cumulative, “said Dr. Slutsky. With a persistent change of power, memory should improve and the effects of dementia and other diseases affecting cognitive functions could be significantly delayed, “said the researcher.

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Calories in food: the basics

Monday, July 26th, 2010

caloriesWhen choosing food, it is not always possible or convenient to consult the label or a database to determine their caloric intake. Some basic help to get a better idea of the approximate calories they contain.

The nutrients that provide calories are carbohydrates (sugars) (1), proteins and lipids (fats). Alcohol also contains.

The fibers present in large quantities in fruits and vegetables do not provide calories because they are poorly digested or indigestible (by slowing digestion, however, they increase the uptake of other nutrients and prolong satiety). Vitamins and trace elements do not provide calories.

For the same weight, fat contains more than twice the calories of carbohydrates and proteins. Here is their contribution to 1 gram and 100 grams:

- Carbohydrates: 4 cal / g (or 400 per 100 g)
- Protein: 4 cal / g (or 400 per 100 g)
- Fat: 9 cal per g (or 900 per 100 g)
- Alcohol: 7 cal per g (700 per 100 g).

Alcohol is more calories than carbohydrates and protein but less than fat. One drink contains 10 grams of alcohol.

The foods most rich in fat and those who are most dense foods (See: Building on satiation with a diet based on caloric density to lose weight).

Note that the ratio of calories from fat and carbohydrate (or protein) for the same weight does not translate to the volume (which contains a variable weight depending on the ingredients), for examples:

- 1 tsp. tablespoon vegetable oil: 90 calories
- 1 tsp. tablespoons margarine: 75 calories
- 1 tsp. tablespoon sugar: 60 calories
- 1 tsp. tablespoon honey: 80 calories

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Worse meat for your health

Friday, July 2nd, 2010

bacon

It’s a simple thing. But how can meat improve your healthy life? Just be careful about this several meat. As with most foods, these “worst meat for health” does not pose a problem if eaten occasionally. However, looking instead to eat wild fish, meat and organic vegetables for a healthy and full of protein. As always, be sure to consult a health professional before making drastic dietary changes.

Bacons
The meat is usually the first to cause a frown from your doctor. Surprising? No. Bacon does not particularly beneficial for the body, swims in virtually fat, and is considered the cause of death in some people. Eat two slices of bacon will not harm one morning may not be your health, but you’ll probably feel guilty for the rest of the day.

The main concern caused by the bacon is that it does not satisfy, he “compensates” by things bad for health, which is a bad sum equation. Instead of filling your plate with bacon, you should opt for a plate of slices of bread and eggs to make the meal more satiating.

Pork
This is another suitor in the ranking of the worst meat to be eaten in abundance. Bold and addictive for many people, the pig is a meat that is the nightmare of many followers hungry regime. Unlike bacon, pork tends to be delicious and to be less deprecated in large quantities. It does not have the negative social stigma of bacon. The beef is a good substitute for pork, in the sense that it is less bad. The beef is generally leaner and the protein made by the beef is more useful to the body.

Fried Fish
Fish is generally a very good choice both for those who make arrangements for the general public. The fish is healthy enough, cheap most of the time, and is good for the brain. However, if your fish was swimming in a vat of oil for cooking, you’d better do without. Stay away from fried fish and prefer it grilled or roasted and everything will be better.

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Beware of breakfast cereals

Friday, June 25th, 2010

If you are looking for a healthy diet is always best to be yourself in charge of preparing your food. However, we recognize that some products are a must in our cupboard and we cannot we do without them. Breakfast cereals fall into this category, but before you prepare your breakfast with them opens his eyes.

Is that since the bodies of UK nutrition were studied components of a single serving of some cereals market brands like Kellogs, Nestle, etc.., Checking the levels of sugar, fat and salt grains are comparable for a jelly filled donut.

A jelly-filled donut sounds very ‘Breakfast Yankee’ and a lot of fat. And obviously off enough of what we mean by healthy breakfast. And with the importance we give to the nutrition of our children that is a breakfast cereal that is far removed from it. (more…)

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Five Foods should be Careful

Saturday, June 19th, 2010

The problems are very common constipation; maintain regularity in this respect is difficult for many people for the operation of the digestive system is quite a problem.

Stress, the various activities we do, changes in diet can cause constipation. To avoid this we have to eat fiber, about 25, 30 grams per day, but they have to drink plenty of fluids and exercising daily.

There are a number of foods that can help us, but there are others that keep our digestive system works as it should. Look at the list you see below to see what food is what you are doing things more difficult.

  • Bananas: A medium sized banana contains 3 grams of fiber, but also is recognized for their properties to cut problems such as diarrhea. Eat plenty of bananas can cause constipation.
  • Products you eat every day eat daily for some products such as cheese or ice cream can make it harder regularity in your bowel. (more…)
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How Much do We Need Magnesium?

Thursday, June 10th, 2010

The main sources of magnesium are cereals and vegetables, the latter being especially green leafy. Other foods can also have a large amount of magnesium in its composition, such as sunflower seeds, almonds, hazelnuts or snails. In general, nuts are an important source of magnesium, a very necessary nutrient for our body.

But how much do we need magnesium? It is estimated that about 360 mg per day. As for eating 100% of magnesium, i.e., the Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA), you could eat a steak a day (e.g. a good grilled steak) served with parsley, two slices of smoked salmon, 100 grams of lentils, a cluster of grapes, 20 almonds, and 15 pistachios. Thus having the magnesium your body needs in one day.

But if you want to supplement with a good menu as the main source of magnesium, we can do with a liter of mineral water (which always provides magnesium and other micronutrients), 15 grams of nuts, 250 grams of strawberries, four apricots, two kiwis, three figs and 100 grams of bread.

You see, nuts are a type of food containing a high proportion of magnesium in its composition. You can also eat some rice. Magnesium is a mineral that acts on our body from nerves and stress, so it is considered a good tranquilizer. It is also beneficial for the heart and arteries. Magnesium is the eighth most abundant element on Earth.

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New Information on Lactose Intolerance

Monday, June 7th, 2010

Lactose intolerance is a group of signs and symptoms that include diarrhea, abdominal pain and abdominal bloating or swelling gases happens after eating food containing lactose. This is caused by malabsorption of lactose, a sugar found in milk and dairy foods. This malabsorption is caused by deficiency of the enzyme lactase. Which converts lactose into glucose and galactose. All babies produce lactase, which allows them to digest either breast milk or formula. But over the years many children, for genetic reasons, reduce the amount of lactase that they have.

The symptoms of lactose intolerance resulting from bacterial fermentation of undigested lactose in the colon. And the diagnosis is made with a breath test that measures the amount of hydrogen after ingesting a dose of lactose. It is a very simple test.

Current treatment is to avoid drinking milk or food containing milk. Others take pre-hydrolyzed milk with lactase. But it is important to know that it was shown that many people tolerate drink milk, if combined with other foods, and many of the abdominal discomfort are not bigotry, but by other causes. (more…)

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Food and Nutritions: Pumpkin

Saturday, May 29th, 2010

pumpkin
Cucurbita maxima Duch.

Winter Squash (English) Kürbis (German) Poiree (French) Zucca (Italian)

It provides vitamins A, B9, C, E and folic acid. As for minerals, has potassium (361 mg), calcium, magnesium and phosphorus. Is 12 to 40 calories, depending on the variety and between 0.1 and 0.4% fat.

For every 100 grams is 2 grams protein, 8.8 grams of carbohydrate and 1.5 grams of fiber.

(more…)

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The Col Entire Source of Health

Thursday, May 20th, 2010

Like all the cabbage plant is a source of nutrients, is full of minerals like potassium, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, iron, vitamin A and B. Helps digestive problems, so it is important to include in the diet of cabbage three servings a week. What is the best? Because the green is more intense because more nutrients and is vital in the fertile age because foliate is present in it because it prevents the fetus has spine bifida. The doctors have recommended for some time consuming juice of ulcer pain.

Although the kitchen is used as a secondary element in the preparation of other foods, it works and tastes good in soups and sautéed or raw in salads. It should be consumed fresh, so do not keep much in the fridge, it should be washed well. Some dismiss the cabbage smell, and this is something that is solved by putting a stalk of celery in the water where the cabbage is cooked and it removes the peculiar smell of this delicious vegetable. (more…)

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Chocolate

Saturday, January 30th, 2010

ChocolateINTRODUCTION
Like all foods, strictly speaking, chocolate is not fattening. It depends how it is integrated into the daily diet, which is normal, weight-loss or excess (nibbling).

Chocolate is wrongly considered as a guilty pleasure and this is perhaps its sugar content. However, it is proved that the fat contained in chocolate, cocoa butter, lowers “bad cholesterol” in the blood and increase the “good cholesterol”, which is good for the heart and arteries. Better yet (some enjoy), chocolate contains compounds that stimulate the brain, providing a feeling of euphoria. But beware – the more you eat, the more you’ll be hooked!

While a product is fat, high calorie: one tablet of 100 grams is equivalent to 200 grams of fried or 3 tablespoons of oil. And contrary to popular belief the difference in calories between dark chocolate and the milk is not so obvious: respectively 516 and 541 calories (per 100g).

(more…)

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