Foods That Do a Heart Good

We're tempted by high-calorie foods, but they should always be an occasional treat, not everyday fare. Eating too many foods high in fat and sodium can increase the risk of developing cardiovascular diseases.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, heart disease is the leading cause of death for women and men in the United States.

The American Heart Association says a heart-healthy diet is rich in vegetables and fruits, with whole grains, high-fiber foods, lean meats and poultry, fish at least twice a week, and fat-free or 1 percent fat dairy products.

"Most of us want to keep our hearts healthy," registered dietitian Fran Williams said. "But the question remains, how do we do that?"

Healthy & Hearty Winter Soup Recipes You'll Love

There's nothing that can cheer you up on a cold winter's day like a hearty bowl of soup. And we've got some soup recipes that will have you wishing it was winter all year round!

About 100 people submitted their favorite soup and stew recipes, but these eight soups were the ones that made us want to lick the bowls. There's a little something for everyone, from a creamy squash crab soup for seafood lovers to a tomato-basil soup for vegans.

One was inspired by a restaurant in Switzerland; another, from an Oklahoma resident who misses Tex-Mex. One's a version of an authentic Chinese soup.

Have leftover beer from your Super Bowl party? Pour it into some Riverside pork stew. That random can of pumpkin or coconut milk in the pantry? Perfect for the spicy pumpkin soup recipe. Love French onion soup with all that melted cheese on top? Try this cabbage version.

The Real Reason Oprah, You and I Keep Getting Fat

Oprah is mad as hell and she isn't going to take it anymore.  Once again she lost a bunch of weight, looked good and felt great.  And once again she put on a bunch of weight, looked fat and felt awful.  She's certainly not alone.  Studies show that in our lifetime 7 out of 10 women and 9 out of 10 men will become overweight.  We've all been on the latest diet, taken off some poundage and promptly put it back on again.  But if Oprah, with all her high-tech trainers can't keep the weight off, what hope is there for us?

I was watching Larry King last night as Oprah's personal "dream" team of experts talked about the courage Oprah has shown in being open about her weight gain and frustration that "weight" is still an issue for her.  We heard from her personal trainer, Bob Greene.  We heard from her personal physician, Dr. Mehmet Oz.  We heard from her personal spiritual advisor Michael Bernard Beckwith.  All three are absolutely tops in their field.  If this team can't help Oprah keep her weight under control, two conclusions seem logical.

Learn Your Cholesterol Levels & How to Manage Them

What You Should Know about Cholesterol

Too much cholesterol in your blood, organs and arteries increases your health risks.

Your body automatically makes cholesterol -- a waxy, fatlike substance in the blood. Some people naturally produce more cholesterol than other people. Your liver and other cells in your body make about 75 percent of blood cholesterol.

About 25 percent of our cholesterol comes from the foods we eat. High-fat and high-cholesterol foods add more cholesterol to our blood than we need.

Cholesterol can build up in your arteries. The buildup is called plaque. Plaque can break loose or cause inflammation in blood vessels. A heart artery blocked by plaque can result in a heart attack. Hardened arteries with plaque can also lead to blood clots, high blood pressure, strokes and dementia. Most gallstones are also made of cholesterol.

The Benefits of Vitamin C and Vitamin D

When you’re on medication, whether it’s prescription or over-the-counter. Some drugs, as a side effect, block the absorption of nutrients in our diets, so it’s wise to understand how what you’re taking -- affects what you’re eating.

For example, constant use of aspirin can rob the body of iron and may interfere with folic acid and vitamin C levels. Potassium and calcium are depleted by diuretics. And if you take mineral oil for constipation, it’s likely you’ll require vitamin D.

The problem is especially acute for seniors, most of who are on some kind of medication. Many for example, take aspirin for arthritis – and should eat a diet high in iron to compensate for the loss they suffer. And you’ll probably need vitamin C and folic acid, too. Many elderly also take laxatives, which may decrease vitamin D absorption and it may also deplete phosphorous from the bones which can aggravate the tendency towards osteoporosis.

The Gene That Could Make You Immune to Obesity

An obesity "master switch" has been found that makes it possible to feast on junk food without getting fat.

The discovery in mice could lead to new slimming treatments for humans within 10 years, scientists believe.

A U.S. study found that mice lacking the IKKe gene became effectively immune to obesity.

It meant the animals could eat a super-fatty diet and still stay slim.

They were also protected against chronic inflammation, a condition known as "fatty liver," and the first signs of diabetes.

Deleting the gene appeared to release the "brakes" on energy expenditure, generating heat.

Mice on the "junk" diet were fed a type of lard with 45 percent of its calories derived from fat.

Vitamin A and Vitamin B Drug Information

Content in the table above is given per serving of capsule, tablet, or teaspoon (5 milliliters). Products containing the greatest amount of Vitamin B 1 are listed first.

Type of Drug:

Vitamin combinations.

Uses:

Dietary supplement

Guidelines for Use:

Dosage will be individualized.

Do not exceed the recommended dose, unless advised to do so by your doctor.

Most people on regular diets do not need vitamin supplements.

Sotre at controlled room temperature (59 degree to 86 degree F). Protect from moisture.

Doses:

Type

Vitamin 8 Combinations

Brand Name Examples

B1(mg)

B2(mg)

B3(mg)

B5(mg)

B6(mg)

B12(mg)

otc

Neurodep-Caps Capsules

When Are Healthy Foods Not So Healthy?

It's no secret that healthy foods are the key to a healthy body. So we diligently study nutrition labels as we walk through the grocery story and we stock up on low-fat, low-sodium, and low-calorie foods. We're always counting calories and trying to eat high-protein foods. But are we fooling ourselves? Would we be just as healthy chowing down on an ice cream sundae? Maybe...

You probably feel very proud of yourself when, after a good workout, you try to replenish your system with a handful of trail mix, a protein bar or some whole-grain crackers. But you may not know that just one serving of trail mix has the same number of calories as four bite-sized Snickers bars. A high-protein Carb Solutions Chocolate Fudge Almond bar has 230 calories -- the same amount as a bag of M&Ms. And those reduced-fat Wheat Thins with 11 grams of whole grain per serving? Nearly 300 milligrams of sodium -- more sodium than one serving of Original Fritos Corn Chips.

Perimenopause and Weight Gain in Women

I have an acquaintance – I’ll call her Erika – who was, frankly, a trophy wife. Now she is nearing 50, but you would never know it. Erika used to dance professionally, so she is used to long workouts and little food. If you offer her a cracker, she’ll say, “I’m watching my figure so others will.” She does Pilates as well as running and cycling, and she added kickboxing to her schedule because she thinks the instructors are cute.

Money is not an issue, so Erika has the best in skin care, hair care, Botox injections, spa vacations, and of course, fabulous clothes. She has very little body fat, so – as many celebrities do – she gets injections in her cheeks to keep her face from looking too gaunt.

Benefits of Thyroid Hormones

Type of Drug:

Thyroid hormones.

How the Thyroid Hormones Works:

The natural thyroid hormone products (eg, desiccated thyroid and ) are obtained from beef and pork. They are economical, but standardization of iodine content is difficult. The synthetic products, including love thyroxin, Lithuanian and liotrix are generally preferred due to more uniform potency.

Thyroid hormones increase the metabolic rate of body tissues. This involves many varied functions such as oxygen use, respiratory rate, body temperature, heart rate, metabolism of foods, enzyme activity and growth and development of the skeletal and nervous system. Thyroid hormones influence every organ system of the body.

Little Things Go a Long Way in Controlling Diabetes

Seven years ago, doctors told Joe Crump he had diabetes.

He figured the diagnosis of Type 2 diabetes meant he'd have to take a pill and lay off sweets. After all, he felt fine.

"It's hard to respect something that doesn't hurt you," says Crump, 61. "I didn't need to go to the emergency room."

That was until he suffered a minor heart attack in 2007, his second. And simple cuts morphed into wounds that took weeks to heal. And he was diagnosed with cataracts. And his feet and ankles went numb.

That's when he got scared and started listening to a certified diabetes educator who gave him a road map to navigating a disease that affects more than 23 million Americans.

Shake It Up: Healthy Reasons to Lay Off the Salt

Whether you're young, old, fat, thin, ill or healthy, you're probably eating more salt than you should.

The recommended daily allowance of sodium for an average person's diet is about 2,300 milligrams -- equal to about a teaspoon of table salt.

But most Americans eat about 6,000 to 10,000 milligrams per day, said Cassie Wrich, a registered dietitian at Hillcrest Exercise and Lifestyle Program. And a recent report from the Center for Science in the Public Interest shows that you may be eating that much sodium in a single meal, if you're not careful about what you order at popular chain restaurants.

What Holiday Food Makes You Weak in the Knees?

I've been doing a lot of writing about holiday foods these days (check back here on Vitamin G this week and next for some fabulous holiday eating tips--coming soon!) and suddenly it's turned me into the Cookie Monster of holiday food. I swear, I could subsist on a diet of turkey, sweet potatoes and cranberries, with a slice of pumpkin pie thrown in for good measure. So I wondered, what holiday food gets you a little ga-ga?

****

Pecan pie (or any pie with whipped cream for that matter)? Turkey with gravy? Mashed potatoes? Stuffing (I love this stuff--even better when it's my mom's cornbread stuffing)? Eggnog?

What's Your Favorite Workout Song?

Most days, my iPod is the only thing that keeps me from running off the treadmill and back on my couch. And like Margarita, I've been known to belt out a tune if I'm running outside and no one's around. FitSugar recently asked readers which song gets them motivated to work out, and Britney Spears's "Womanizer" came out on top. What's on your playlist?

On cardio days, I have a mix of Rihanna, Justin Timberlake and Chris Brown on heavy rotation. On days when I take an easy stroll in the park or lift weights, I'll listen to anything from MGMT to public radio to short story podcasts. (Yes, that's why I'm either giggling or dead-serious when I use the weight machines!)

Watch Me Diet: Just Say No! (Or, How I Learned to Prioritize)

I'm a pleaser. No matter who's asking for a favor--a boss, a friend, a family member--I'll usually say yes. Two birthday parties in one night? Yep, I can make it. Another work assignment when I'm already stretched to the max? Of course! Will you donate money to this cause? Obviously; let me get my checkbook. But this weekend, I put myself (and my body) first.

An expert once told me that when I'm feeling stressed, I should make two lists: One of things I have to do and one list of things I want to do. Then, she suggested I whittle down the must-do list and cancel or postpone the truly nonessential plans.

Want to Know What You'd Look Like at Your Goal Weight?

Are you ready for some instant diet inspiration? Forget mentally visualizing your weight loss. One website will take a current photo and shave off however many pounds you want to lose. (For free!) Talk about motivation...

Users can go to WeightView.com and fill out a form telling them how many pounds they're looking to lose. Send WeightView a digital photo and in 48 hours, you'll get a slimmer shot of yourself. Put it on the fridge, tack it up by your desk or stick it in your wallet for instant encouragement.

Has anybody out there tried this program yet? What did you think of it? Would seeing a photo of yourself at your dream weight motivate you to stick to your diet?

The Damage of Dieting

Restrictive diets don't always work for kids. They may lead children to unhealthful eating habits.

Weight-conscious mothers beware: Counting your young daughter's calories -- and your own -- may lead her to develop unhealthful eating habits.

In a study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 5-year-old girls whose mothers restricted them from eating sweet, savory, energy-dense foods on a daily basis consumed about 50% more of these foods when presented with them -- even on a full stomach -- than girls who were allowed to include these foods in their everyday diet.

"Heavier girls get more restrictions, but restriction leads to greater intake," explains study author Leann Birch, Ph.D., head of Pennsylvania State University's human development department. "It's a case of the chicken and the egg, and we don't know which came first." Birch asked 192 girls what they knew about dieting, and was surprised to learn that roughly half recognized its link to weight. And all of the girls who knew about dieting had a mother who was watching her own weight.

No-Diet Tip 1: Log It

A “diet diary” tip to lose weight.

Starting and sustaining positive dietary changes is a complex, nuanced, process. Uncovering what is happening beneath the surface is normally warranted when you attempt a major lifestyle diet change. A diet diary can help in this process of losing weight and keeping it off.

The facts are friendly when you use them to build awareness and support your no-diet plan. To gather facts, create a diet diary. A pocket notebook will do. As you work to make changes in your eating habits, record what is happening. Use this process measure to log your progress as well as target areas for change.

No-Diet Tips for High Risk Times

Cognitive, emotive, and behavioral tips to control your eating anytime.

Try to lose weight and your human nature goes against you. But you also have a lot going for you. You can successfully cope with unhealthy eating urges. Use these three cognitive, emotive, and behavioral tips to control urges in high risk times and stick to healthy eating.

Stop the Pink Elephant

Knowing what is right to do and then doing the opposite, is common. You see this conflict play out in both procrastination and eating unhealthily. Both activities have common features. One is to do what is easiest in the short term. On a procrastination thinking path, you believe you will take corrective actions later to avoid negative fallout. How well has that worked for you? You also stay stuck in the middle with sorry results.

No-Diet Weight Loss

A no-diet plan to lose weight and keep it off.

Losing weight is not as much an issue as keeping it off. Weight cycling is common. If you want to get off this treadmill, try a different way. Support your effort with a combination of psychological strategies and tips that you'll find here. Stick with this experimental series. Check in weekly. Stay on track. Build a healthy lifestyle into your daily routine. Improve your way of living.

The series consists of blogs where I explore topics, such as how to stop procrastinating on taking weight control measures and how to subdue seductive inner cons that snafu healthy eating habits. You'll get briefer tips that address topics, such as how to politely refuse fattening food at a party. The blogs and tips help you stay engaged in learning to get to your goal weight and stay there. Tips are labeled No-Diet Tip 1, 2, etc. Guest experts will share their thoughts on how to attain permanent weight loss. You'll see evidence from the research literature on what goes into weight loss success.