Health Matters
Health issues for African Americans are often different than health issues for the rest of the population. Therefore it is important for us to stay up to speed on our physical fitness and stay abreast of medical issues facing our community. This section provides some links to critical areas of health care management.
Nuts to Cancer
If you're not already snacking on a handful of nuts daily to help protect your heart, here's a reason that might sway you.
Walnuts, almonds, and pistachios contain a potent substance that may thwart cancerous tumors. Legumes are similarly loaded with the mighty compound, so there's no reason to leave those peanuts at the bottom of the can of mixed nuts.
A Tongue-Twisting Treat
A key enzyme involved in cancer growth may be inhibited by -- you ready for this? -- inositol pentakisphosphate. Luckily, you don't need to know how to say it to benefit from it! Just know that it's good for you and found in abundance in nuts, wheat bran, and most legumes. Apparently, the compound is so powerful it could hold promise for future cancer treatments. And a nontoxic way to kill cancer cells would surely be welcome. (Know someone facing cancer? Learn about treatment options and recovery.)
More Nutty Nutrients
Nuts are chock-full of good-for-you vitamins, nutrients, and phytochemicals, along with healthy monounsaturated fats that help keep cholesterol down and arteries clear. But stick to about an ounce a day so you don't overload on calories. For a nutty but low-cholesterol twist on a favorite holiday treat, make this oh-so-good Oatmeal-Nut Crunch Apple Pie.
Learn how nuts and legumes may help your blood sugar, too!
Walnuts, almonds, and pistachios contain a potent substance that may thwart cancerous tumors. Legumes are similarly loaded with the mighty compound, so there's no reason to leave those peanuts at the bottom of the can of mixed nuts.
A Tongue-Twisting Treat
A key enzyme involved in cancer growth may be inhibited by -- you ready for this? -- inositol pentakisphosphate. Luckily, you don't need to know how to say it to benefit from it! Just know that it's good for you and found in abundance in nuts, wheat bran, and most legumes. Apparently, the compound is so powerful it could hold promise for future cancer treatments. And a nontoxic way to kill cancer cells would surely be welcome. (Know someone facing cancer? Learn about treatment options and recovery.)
More Nutty Nutrients
Nuts are chock-full of good-for-you vitamins, nutrients, and phytochemicals, along with healthy monounsaturated fats that help keep cholesterol down and arteries clear. But stick to about an ounce a day so you don't overload on calories. For a nutty but low-cholesterol twist on a favorite holiday treat, make this oh-so-good Oatmeal-Nut Crunch Apple Pie.
Learn how nuts and legumes may help your blood sugar, too!
Seafood for Better Sex?
Is seafood the aphrodisiac it's cracked up to be, or is someone telling fish tales?
It appears that any seafood rich in omega-3 fatty acids may indeed help put you in the mood, according to RealAge experts Mehmet Oz, MD, and Michael Roizen, MD. Here's how it helps light your fire.
Bringing Sexy Salmon Back
The omega-3s in fish like salmon and herring may boost sex-related hormones that increase desire, write Oz and Roizen in their best-selling book YOU: On a Diet. Same goes for the zinc in oysters, crab, lobster, and shrimp. Find other food sources of these nutrients with this online tool.
More Super Strategies
Some foods that resemble anatomical parts (think asparagus and artichoke hearts) have been linked to a stronger libido, too. But because it's hard to do a proper clinical study on this theme, we'll just pass along the limited facts and leave the rest to your imagination. In the meantime, here are some better-sex strategies with a bit more research behind them:
Is seafood the aphrodisiac it's cracked up to be, or is someone telling fish tales?
It appears that any seafood rich in omega-3 fatty acids may indeed help put you in the mood, according to RealAge experts Mehmet Oz, MD, and Michael Roizen, MD. Here's how it helps light your fire.
Bringing Sexy Salmon Back
The omega-3s in fish like salmon and herring may boost sex-related hormones that increase desire, write Oz and Roizen in their best-selling book YOU: On a Diet. Same goes for the zinc in oysters, crab, lobster, and shrimp. Find other food sources of these nutrients with this online tool.
More Super Strategies
Some foods that resemble anatomical parts (think asparagus and artichoke hearts) have been linked to a stronger libido, too. But because it's hard to do a proper clinical study on this theme, we'll just pass along the limited facts and leave the rest to your imagination. In the meantime, here are some better-sex strategies with a bit more research behind them:
- Exercise regularly for better blood flow. Here's why it matters.
- Take it easy on the alcohol. Too much can shut down sexual response.
- Get rid of that gut. Besides helping you feel better about your body, losing weight if you're overweight can also reduce the risk of sexual problems like this.
Top 5 Ways to Reduce Your Cancer Risk
Here's a list you'll want to check twice: Five ways to slash your risk of cancer.
Doing just one of the anticancer steps is better than nothing. But do all of them and you're cancer risk could drop by as much as 30 percent.
1. Don't smoke (a no-brainer).
2. Limit red meat, alcohol, fat, and salt.
3. Eat fruit, veggies, and whole grains -- lots of them!
4. Exercise regularly.
5. Watch your weight. (Check your body mass index here.)
Pick and Choose, Just Pick
Although there is no surefire way to prevent cancer, making healthy choices in your daily life may reduce your risk. If you don't feel capable of following all the anticancer guidelines, at least choose to do the ones you know you have a good shot of sticking to. You can add a few more later, once you've made some progress. Baby steps are fine. And they're waaaay better than doing nothing. (Here's another food that might help fend off cancer.)
Doing just one of the anticancer steps is better than nothing. But do all of them and you're cancer risk could drop by as much as 30 percent.
1. Don't smoke (a no-brainer).
2. Limit red meat, alcohol, fat, and salt.
3. Eat fruit, veggies, and whole grains -- lots of them!
4. Exercise regularly.
5. Watch your weight. (Check your body mass index here.)
Pick and Choose, Just Pick
Although there is no surefire way to prevent cancer, making healthy choices in your daily life may reduce your risk. If you don't feel capable of following all the anticancer guidelines, at least choose to do the ones you know you have a good shot of sticking to. You can add a few more later, once you've made some progress. Baby steps are fine. And they're waaaay better than doing nothing. (Here's another food that might help fend off cancer.)
Give Your Workout a Break
Want to burn more fat and calories when you walk, swim, or run? Then take a break.
The rate at which your body burns fuel may be boosted even higher if you break up a long cardio session into two back-to-back 30-minute sessions with a 20-minute break in between. Breather, anyone?
The rate at which your body burns fuel may be boosted even higher if you break up a long cardio session into two back-to-back 30-minute sessions with a 20-minute break in between. Breather, anyone?
Start. Stop. Repeat.
How can scientists tell that a 20-minute rest helps rev up your fat burning? Men in a study who did just that (in between 30-minute sessions on a stationary bike) showed elevated blood levels of free fatty acids -- higher blood levels than those produced during a single 60-minute cycling session. And that bump in free fatty acids is a sign of increased fat burning: Circulating blood levels of free fatty acids go up when your body starts to break down fat.
More Ways to Burn Fat
Here are a few more ways to boost the fat- and calorie-burning powers of your power workouts:
How can scientists tell that a 20-minute rest helps rev up your fat burning? Men in a study who did just that (in between 30-minute sessions on a stationary bike) showed elevated blood levels of free fatty acids -- higher blood levels than those produced during a single 60-minute cycling session. And that bump in free fatty acids is a sign of increased fat burning: Circulating blood levels of free fatty acids go up when your body starts to break down fat.
More Ways to Burn Fat
Here are a few more ways to boost the fat- and calorie-burning powers of your power workouts:
- Do cardio before strength training. Here's why . . .
- Eat more of this.
- Build some muscle. The more muscle you have, the more readily your body burns calories.
Delicious, Diabetic Safe, Fruit Smoothie
This smoothie is low in fat yet flavorful. Frozen unsweetened strawberries and bananas provide the refreshing coolness and thicken the orange juice and yogurt mixture. Equal provides the sweetness.
Ingredients
1 cup orange juice
1 cup nonfat plain yogurt
1 peeled and frozen banana, cut into pieces
1 cup frozen unsweetened whole strawberries or raspberries
1/4 cup Equal® Spoonful*
Preparation
Place all ingredients in blender or food processor; cover. Process until smooth. Serve immediately in tall glasses.
This smoothie is low in fat yet flavorful. Frozen unsweetened strawberries and bananas provide the refreshing coolness and thicken the orange juice and yogurt mixture. Equal provides the sweetness.
Ingredients
1 cup orange juice
1 cup nonfat plain yogurt
1 peeled and frozen banana, cut into pieces
1 cup frozen unsweetened whole strawberries or raspberries
1/4 cup Equal® Spoonful*
Preparation
Place all ingredients in blender or food processor; cover. Process until smooth. Serve immediately in tall glasses.
Nutritional Information
per serving
Calories 203
Protein 9 g
Carbohydrates 43 g
Fat 1 g
Cholesterol 3 mg
Sodium 98 mg
Food Exchange: 1 milk, 2 fruit
* May substitute 6 packets Equal sweetener
RopeSport: The Ultimate Jump Rope Workout
10 Reasons to Hop to It
Jumping rope. Some of us haven't done it since schoolyard days. But here are the top 10 reasons you should jump rope like you did in third grade -- besides the fact that it will make you feel like a kid again!
Do it to warm up. Do it to cool down. Or make a whole workout of it. Just do it. Martin Winkler, author of RopeSport: The Ultimate Jump Rope Workout, offers these 10 reasons to get hopping. (Browse the book online.)
Jumping rope . . .
Jumping rope. Some of us haven't done it since schoolyard days. But here are the top 10 reasons you should jump rope like you did in third grade -- besides the fact that it will make you feel like a kid again!
Do it to warm up. Do it to cool down. Or make a whole workout of it. Just do it. Martin Winkler, author of RopeSport: The Ultimate Jump Rope Workout, offers these 10 reasons to get hopping. (Browse the book online.)
Jumping rope . . .
| 1. | Burns up to 1,000 calories per hour. (Find out how many calories your other physical activities burn.) |
| 2. | Tones your entire body -- arms, legs, trunk, and back. |
| 3. | Is easy to learn (master’s degree in Pilates not required). |
| 4. | Improves your game, whether you golf, swim, ski, or play tennis. |
| 5. | Is totally cheap (ropes can start at $3.99) and portable (a 4-foot by 6-foot area is all you need). |
| 6. | Looks cool . . . check out those boxers at the gym who know what they’re doing. |
| 7. | Can be a solo or group workout. |
| 8. | Is gender neutral. |
| 9. | Is family friendly. Give your kids a rope, too! |
| 10. | Can be a blast. Make up some jump rope tricks, and have fun with it. |
Heart Attack Slideshow
Have you ever thought about what to do if you were alone and having a heart attack? Click the link below and view the informative PowerPoint presentation on how to save your own life!! It will be a well spent minute and you’ll want to share this information with family and friends!!!
Drinking Warm Water After a Meal
This is a good article. Not only about the warm water after your meal, but about heart attacks. The Chinese and Japanese drink hot tea with their meals, not cold water, maybe it is time we adopt their drinking habit while eating.
For those who like to drink cold water, this article is applicable to you. It is nice to have a cup of cold drink after a meal. However, the cold water will solidify the oily stuff that you have just consumed. It will slow down the digestion. Once this "sludge" reacts with the acid, it will break down and be absorbed by the intestine faster than the solid food. It will line the intestine. Very soon, this will turn into fats and lead to cancer. It is best to drink hot soup or warm water after a meal.
A serious note about heart attacks - You should know that not every heart attack symptom is going to be the left arm hurting. Be aware of intense pain in the jaw line.
You may never have the first chest pain during the course of a heart attack. Nausea and intense sweating are also common symptoms. 60% of people who have a heart attack while they are asleep do not wake up. Pain in the jaw can wake you from a sound sleep. Let's be careful and be aware. The more we know, the better chance we could survive.
This is a good article. Not only about the warm water after your meal, but about heart attacks. The Chinese and Japanese drink hot tea with their meals, not cold water, maybe it is time we adopt their drinking habit while eating.
For those who like to drink cold water, this article is applicable to you. It is nice to have a cup of cold drink after a meal. However, the cold water will solidify the oily stuff that you have just consumed. It will slow down the digestion. Once this "sludge" reacts with the acid, it will break down and be absorbed by the intestine faster than the solid food. It will line the intestine. Very soon, this will turn into fats and lead to cancer. It is best to drink hot soup or warm water after a meal.
A serious note about heart attacks - You should know that not every heart attack symptom is going to be the left arm hurting. Be aware of intense pain in the jaw line.
You may never have the first chest pain during the course of a heart attack. Nausea and intense sweating are also common symptoms. 60% of people who have a heart attack while they are asleep do not wake up. Pain in the jaw can wake you from a sound sleep. Let's be careful and be aware. The more we know, the better chance we could survive.
Check If Your Feces are Healthy!!!
Dietary figers and lactobacillus bifidus are essental for healthy and comfortable life. The best feces are like bananas. They are modestly hard with no strong smell. Feces are a barometer of your health and beauty. Click the link below and answer the questions to see if you have healthy feces or not!!!
FECES CHECK!!!
FECES CHECK!!!
Medical Matters:
Black Doctor: A complete resource for African American health, fitness, nutrition, and weight loss.
High Blood Pressure in African Americans
Diabetes & African Americans
What Every Black Woman Should Know About Heart Disease
Four Quick Tests to Monitor Your Health
Rap-It-Up (HIV/AIDS)
A Healthy BET
Black Doctor: A complete resource for African American health, fitness, nutrition, and weight loss.
High Blood Pressure in African Americans
Diabetes & African Americans
What Every Black Woman Should Know About Heart Disease
Four Quick Tests to Monitor Your Health
Rap-It-Up (HIV/AIDS)
A Healthy BET
