Category: Nutritional Supplements

Green Tea Benefits

December 28th, 2010 by Paula Gallagher

Green tea has many benefits and in a new study out of Sweden, participants noticed increased satiety and fullness after they drank 300ml (just over a cup) of green tea with breakfast. They also reported having a less strong desire to eat their favorite food and finding it less pleasant to eat another mouthful of the same food. Hmmm, I wonder if this works for chocolate?

Here are some other great reasons to drink this antioxidant-rich beverage. Thanks to care2.com for these great points.

1. Green tea is a superb fat fighter. Its active ingredient, EGCG, increases the rate at which fat is burned in your body.

2. It targets belly fat. Research at Tufts University indicates that EGCG in green tea, like other catechins, activates fat-burning genes in the abdomen to speed weight loss by 77%.

3. It keeps energy stable by balancing blood sugar levels. EGCG improves insulin use in the body to prevent blood sugar spikes and crashes that can result in fatigue, irritability, and cravings for unhealthy foods. Continue reading “Green Tea Benefits”

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“Buzz Word” Definitions in the Natural Health Food and Supplement World

December 27th, 2010 by Paula Gallagher

There are a lot of “buzz words” floating around the natural health and food industry, so I thought I would offer some simplified explanations of some of these terms.

Tannins: Antioxidants that give tea and pomegranates their taste.

Polyphenols: Polyphenols are antioxidants in plants that contribute in a unique way to an individual’s overall health. They are most commonly introduced to the body through the consumption of fruits and vegetables. Antioxidants fight free radicals, which have been known to cause cancer. Tannins are polyphenols. Red wine is rich in polyohenols.

Ellagic acid: Another potent antioxidant found in strawberries, raspberries and pomegranates. Ellagic acid has antioxidant, anti-mutagen and anti-cancer properties. Studies have shown their anti-cancer activity on cancer cells of the breast, esophagus, skin, colon, prostate and pancreas.

ECGC or Epigallocatechin gallate: The antioxidant found in green tea, it may provide health effects by protecting our cells from oxidative damage from free radicals. A number of chronic diseases have been associated with free radical damage, including cancer, arteriosclerosis, heart diseases and accelerated aging. It also has been linked to weight loss.

Are there any buzz words that you would like clarified?

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Non-Dairy Foods for Healthy Bones

December 24th, 2010 by Margo Gladding

Many people fear that if they are unable to eat dairy products, they will not be able to get enough calcium in their diet. Rest assured that you can get plenty of bone-building nutrients from a wide variety of non-dairy foods. Bones need a myriad of nutrients beyond calcium, such as vitamin D, phosphorus, vitamin C, vitamin A, vitamin K, protein, magnesium, healthy fats, zinc, manganese, and boron. Here are some examples of bone-nourishing foods:

1) Vegetables (provide calcium, vitamin K, vitamin C)

  • Leafy green vegetables: kale, collards, mustard greens, arugula, bok choy, parsley, watercress, mesclun, spinach, Swiss chard, turnip greens, dandelion greens, beet greens
  • Broccoli, cabbage, carrots, zucchini, acorn or butternut squash, celery, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts

2) Protein (supports collagen)

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Travel Health During the Holidays

December 21st, 2010 by Paula Gallagher

This information was posted back in the summer, but I figure that it applies to this time of year as well. Be well and stay healthy!

It’s a busy time of year for many of us, and while traveling should be relaxing and enjoyable, unfortunately, it can also be hard on your body. Recycled air on flights exposes you to cold and flu germs and jet lag can make you lose valuable days of vacation time. Eating foods that you are not used to can also cause digestive distress. Being prepared before you travel can make the difference between a miserable trip and a memorable one.

Here are some essential products for travel health:

Melatonin

Plane travel may interfere with the production of melatonin, a hormone that regulates our sleep-wake cycles. This might explain why airplane travel disrupts our sleeping patterns and why it takes a while for us to adjust to a new time zone. Studies suggest that Melatonin doubles the speed at which your body adjusts to the new time zone. Continue reading “Travel Health During the Holidays”

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Prebiotics (Say What?)

December 20th, 2010 by Paula Gallagher

We have heard plenty about probiotics and how important these beneficial bacteria are for your health, but compelling studies show that prebiotics are equally important. Prebiotics are certain types of soluble fiber that help probiotics multiply.

So what to prebiotics do? Well, here are just a few ways that prebiotics keep us healthy.

Intestinal Health: Constipated much? Prebiotics increase bulk in your stools and shorten the transit time in the intestines. They may also help those with Crohn’s and other inflammatory bowel diseases because they reduce inflammation and encourage the growth of beneficial bacteria (lactobacilli and bifidobacteria).

Cholesterol Support: Research suggests that prebiotics enhance the cholesterol lowering actions of probiotics by helping break down cholesterol in the GI tract. And since some prebiotics are forms of fiber, they have the same effect as soluble fiber on lowering cholesterol.

Immune Health: Studies suggest that prebiotics may improve resistance against infection by providing food for probiotics, which makes the immune system function more efficiently. Continue reading “Prebiotics (Say What?)”

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    Paula Gallagher
    Paula is a highly qualified and experienced nutrition counselor on the staff at Village Green.
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