healthy nutrition Archives - Amazing Health Advances

What Is the Difference Between Slow and Fast Proteins?

AHA Publisher — Fri, 10 Dec 2021 08:00:06 +0000

Rakefet Arieli via The Jerusalem Post – There’s a difference between “slow” proteins, which are recommended to be consumed in food or drink before bed and “fast” proteins, which will do the work for you after you exercise. How can you choose the right one and which products do you need to know about before the next workout? Here are the answers. Adequate protein intake is crucial for our health. It contributes to muscle mass and bone health, and also helps us maintain a healthy weight. Since awareness of proper protein intake has increased in the last few years, companies started marketing new protein-rich products, such as yogurts, milk drinks, protein bars and protein powders. But What Exactly Should You Consume and How Do You Choose? Let’s organize all the information you need. Proteins are made up of chains of amino acids. There are 20 of these, and our body needs them all. The difference between the proteins is in the number of amino acids in the chain, their type, the order of their connection and the spatial structure in which they’re organized. Of the 20 amino acids, the amino acid leucine was found to be most effective for consumption after physical exertion, as it contributes to the repair and renewal of muscle tissue damaged during physical exercise, even slight tears which occur on a regular basis. Proteins are found naturally in milk and dairy products, meat and meat products, eggs, soy and legumes. Proteins differ according to the rate of their absorption in the body. With “slow” proteins the rate of increase of amino acids in the blood is slow, and with “fast” proteins the rate of increase of amino acids in the blood is fast. “Slow” proteins, such as casein protein, should be consumed when the time window for building muscle is long, for example before bed. “Fast” proteins, such as whey and soy, are recommended for consumption when the time window for building muscle is short, such as at the end of a workout or between workouts. There are many points to consider when choosing the protein product we want to eat or drink in different situations: is it part of a meal, something to meal after a workout, or a late night bitetaste, type, quantity, quality, availability, etc. If you want to consume protein after physical exertion, nutritionists recommend 20-40 grams of whey protein, which contains one-three grams of leucine. Cow’s milk naturally contains about 80% casein protein and 20% whey. When dairy products are produced changes in the protein content can be made which affects the amount and type of protein in the products. A protein that has undergone an isolation process will contain the highest amount of whey protein and the highest amount of the amino acid leucine. So, it will be the most recommended protein to consume after a workout. Today, you can find a variety of protein drinks that differ from each other in the process of protein production in nutritional values, which vitamins and minerals are added and in how they taste. Rakefet Arieli is a clinical and sports dietitian at Shaare Zedek Hospital Sports Medicine Center. This article was written in cooperation with Yotvata and was published on our sister publication, Maariv. To read the original article click here.

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Researchers Discover New Link Between Diet, Intestinal Stem Cells and Disease

AHA Publisher — Mon, 22 Nov 2021 08:00:56 +0000

Helmholtz Zentrum München – German Research Center for Environmental Health via News-Medical – The intestine is essential for maintaining our energy balance and is a master at reacting quickly to changes in nutrition and nutrient balance. It manages to do this with the help of intestinal cells that among other things are specialized in the absorption of food components or the secretion of hormones. In adult humans, the intestinal cells regenerate every five to seven days. The ability to constantly renew and develop all types of intestinal cells from intestinal stem cells is crucial for the natural adaptability of the digestive system. However, a long-term diet high in sugar and fat disrupts this adaptation and can contribute to the development of obesity, type 2 diabetes, and gastrointestinal cancer. The molecular mechanisms behind this maladaptation are part of the research field of Heiko Lickert and his group at Helmholtz Munich and the Technical University of Munich. The scientists assume that intestinal stem cells play a special role in maladaptation. Using a mouse model, the researchers investigated the effects of a high-sugar and high-fat diet and compared it with a control group. From High-Calorie Diet to Increased Risk of Gastrointestinal Cancer “The first thing we noticed was that the small intestine increases greatly in size on the high-calorie diet. Together with Fabian Theis’ team of computational biologists at Helmholtz Munich, we then profiled 27,000 intestinal cells from control diet and high fat/high sugar diet-fed mice. Using new machine learning techniques, we thus found that intestinal stem cells divide and differentiate significantly faster in the mice on an unhealthy diet.” Anika Böttcher, Study Leader The researchers hypothesize that this is due to an upregulation of the relevant signaling pathways, which is associated with an acceleration of tumor growth in many cancers. “This could be an important link: Diet influences metabolic signaling, which leads to excessive growth of intestinal stem cells and ultimately to an increased risk of gastrointestinal cancer,” says Böttcher. With the help of this high-resolution technique, the researchers have also been able to study rare cell types in the intestine, for example, hormone-secreting cells. Among their findings, they were able to show that an unhealthy diet leads to a reduction in serotonin-producing cells in the intestine. This can result in intestinal inertia (typical of diabetes mellitus) or increased appetite. Furthermore, the study showed that the absorbing cells adapt to the high-fat diet, and their functionality increases, thus directly promoting weight gain. Important Basic Research for Non-Invasive Therapies These and other findings from the study lead to a new understanding of disease mechanisms associated with a high-calorie diet. “What we have found out is of crucial importance for developing alternative non-invasive therapies,” says study leader Heiko Lickert, in summarizing the results. To date, there is no pharmacological approach to prevent, stop or reverse obesity and diabetes. Only bariatric surgery causes permanent weight loss and can even lead to remission of diabetes. However, these surgeries are invasive, non-reversible and costly to the healthcare system. Novel non-invasive therapies could happen, for example, at the hormonal level through targeted regulation of serotonin levels. The research group will examine this and other approaches in subsequent studies. About the People Heiko Lickert and Anika Böttcher conduct research at the Helmholtz Diabetes Center of Helmholtz Munich. They specialize in the development of regenerative treatment approaches for numerous widespread diseases associated with impaired gut function. Lickert heads the Institute for Diabetes and Regeneration Research and is a professor at the Technical University of Munich (TUM). Both are scientists at the German Center for Diabetes Research (DZD). The current study has been published as a cover story in Nature Metabolism. To read the original article click here.

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Eating Organic Helps Kids Score Higher on Cognitive Tests, According to Study

AHA Publisher — Thu, 29 Jul 2021 07:19:05 +0000

Stephanie Woods via NaturalHealth365 – Have you ever noticed that you have more energy when you eat nutrient-rich, organic food and have a better overall feeling of wellness than when you eat fast food? There’s a reason for that, and researchers are linking an organic diet to improved cognition and higher academic performance in children. The study, published in Environmental Pollution, was conducted by researchers at the Barcelona Institute for Global Health. It took an in-depth look at environmental hazards that children come into contact with regularly. Without examining unique lifestyle factors individually, the researchers concluded that “healthy diets, including eating organic diets, are richer than fast food diets in nutrients necessary for the brain…” According to the study, antioxidants, vitamins, and fatty acids found in a balanced, healthy diet are credited with enhancing cognitive function in children. A Large-Scale Study of 1,300 Participants Examines the Connection Between Children’s Diet and Cognitive Development The researchers chose nearly 1,300 mother-child pairs from those enrolled in the pan-European study, Human Early Life Exposome (HELIX) Project. HELIX has a number of various projects spanning several European countries The children participating in the study ranged in age from 6 to 11 years old, all in good health. In addition, because the participants were already a part of HELIX, researchers already had data on the mothers’ pregnancies and birth experiences as well as urine samples for all participants. They used each participant’s home addresses to evaluate the area for environmental exposures, such as level of pollution and how close they were to parks and natural areas. The researchers administered tests to both child and mother to determine specific lifestyle factors, alcohol use and smoking by either or both parents, the child’s diet, their environment indoors, level of physical activity, and other habits. Researchers tested the children’s working memory, attention function, and fluid intelligence through both clinical tests and computer evaluations. Then, they combined these scores as an overall level of cognition. Pesticides and Other Chemicals Have a Detrimental Impact on Cognitive Health The researchers concluded that eating organic foods helped children score higher in tests measuring working memory and fluid intelligence. Lower scores on each of the tests were found to have several contributing factors. For instance, children who scored lower on fluid intelligence tests tended to have a diet high in fast food. They were also regularly exposed to tobacco smoke and experienced house crowding. Children with lower scores on working memory tests tended to regularly be exposed to poor indoor air quality. Pesticides and other chemicals in conventional foods – and their absence in organic foods – are believed to be the primary reason for the study results. Children are smaller, so the levels of these dangerous chemicals in their bodies are higher. Other studies have linked pesticides to ADHD, developmental problems, and lower IQ in children. It is important to note that organophosphate insecticides which are specifically associated with lower IQ scores in children are still commonly used on vegetables and fruit in the United States. What’s the bottom line? While the test results seem to reveal a direct link between test scores and diet and environmental factors, more research is needed to provide solid evidence that an organic, nutrient-rich diet improves cognitive performance. Nevertheless, this offers some solid evidence to switch to an organic diet, dramatically lowering pesticide levels in the body. No doubt, eating organic food will take you one step closer to better health and higher brainpower. Sources for this article include: BeyondPesticides.org ScienceDirect.com App.Dimensions.AI ScienceDirect.com To read the original article click here. For more articles from NaturalHealth365 click here.

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10 Best Healthy Recipes of 2020 – Keep It Going in 2021!

AHA Publisher — Tue, 12 Jan 2021 08:00:33 +0000

Dr. Don Colbert – Although 2020 was a tough year, there was a silver lining in one area of nutrition. Many people started cooking more homemade foods rather than going out or buying convenience foods. When it comes to health and a healthy weight, this is a big win. This habit is a great goal for 2021 as well! (Although, it’s definitely fun to go out every once in a while.) Here are the 10 best healthy recipes from 2020 on this site. The first 7 are in no particular order. Then, the top 3 are revealed at the bottom. Enjoy these recipes in the new year as well. And, don’t forget to check out your opportunity to win a copy of the new book: Gut Zone by Dr. Colbert! 10 Best Healthy Recipes of 2020 – Dr. Cobert.com EASY AUTUMN KETO PAN SHEET MEAL If you need an easy, quick, weeknight meal, look no further than this Easy Autumn Keto Pan Sheet Dinner. The flavors of onions and sausage are signature Autumn flavors, but it’s great any time of year. You can prepare it in just a few minutes, and do something else while it cooks. It’s delicious. KETO ONION RINGS Onions are great, healthy, high-phytochemical vegetables. They get a delicious makeover with this keto version of onion rings. Just like traditional onion rings, these are fantastic alongside a burger or other dish. Additionally, onions support heart health, healthy blood sugars, digestive health, and bone health (1)! COLLAGEN CHOCOLATE CARAMELS Whose skin couldn’t use a little collagen refresh right now? These delicious fat bomb desserts are easy to make, combine chocolate and caramel, and are great for your health. Divine Health’s Hydrolyzed Collagen supports joint, skin, and digestive health. Amazingly, they contain only 1 gram net carb per square! KETO ZONE NON-ALCOHOLIC LEMON BERRY SPRITZER Just because you’re in the Keto Zone doesn’t mean you’re stuck with only water to drink. Give yourself a treat and make this Lemon Berry Spritzer in 2021! This delicious beverage combines sparkling water, lemon juice and berries. Together, they support healthy skin, provide fiber, hydrate, and encourage whole-body health. ZUCCHINI PIZZA CRUST It’s always a good idea to have a few great keto pizza crusts at your disposal. This one was a hit! Zucchinis are an amazingly healthy vegetable that can be used in many ways in the Keto Zone diet. You can use them from stick noodles, lasagna noodles, and now pizza crust! BEST KETO BARBEQUE SAUCE Barbeque sauce can make almost anything taste better, but there’s a drawback. Traditional barbeque sauce is loaded with sugar! The next time you need some, make this favorite keto barbeque sauce instead. Then, add it to your burgers, chicken, zucchini fries, or keto onion rings! SCRUMPTIOUS PECAN PIE CHEESECAKE This pecan pie cheesecake is simply too good to resist. Thankfully, you don’t have to even try to resist it, because unlike traditional cheesecakes it nourishes you with healthy ingredients like pecans, almonds, and cinnamon. It only contains 4 grams of net carbs per serving! It does take a bit of time to prepare, so make sure you set aside the time. Then enjoy the best keto dessert of 2020! 3 Best Healthy Recipes on DrColbert.com for 2020 #3 KETO ZONE COLD CUCUMBER SOUP Did you know cucumbers contain antioxidants that are specifically good for artery health? They are also great to reduce bloating (they are a natural, gentle diuretic) and promote digestive health. This recipe is full of cucumber nourishment and a delicious flavor. It’s perfect in place of a salad, and especially when the weather warms up. #2 ENERGIZING GREEN BASIL SMOOTHIE This green basil smoothie is loaded with energizing ingredients: basil, lemon, blueberries, Keto Zone MCT Oil Powder, and Divine Health Fermented Green Supremefood®! Drink this for breakfast and lunch for long-lasting delicious daytime energy! #1 KETO ZONE OYSTER STEW In 2020, we started the New Year with a delicious, ultra-nourishing Keto Zone Oyster Stew. While you might realize that oyster stew is traditional New Year’s food, did you know that oysters offer many health benefits? They are a low-carb heart-healthy, brain-healthy food. They contain crucial minerals (like copper, zinc, selenium, and iron), B-Vitamins, Vitamin D, and an amazing unique antioxidant called 3,5-Dihydroxy-4-methoxybenzyl alcohol (DHMBA). In studies, DHMBA has been found to be 15 times per powerful at quenching free radicals than synthetic Vitamin E (2). What About You? What Are Your Best Healthy Recipes & Keto Zone Tips How has the Keto Zone and/or recipes changed your life in the past weeks, months, or years? We want to know! Send us your own testimonial regarding Keto Zone, Dr. Colbert’s Keto Zone books, and/or Keto Zone recipes. Simply text your unbiased testimonial with pictures or video to (407)512-9807 or email it to testimony@ketozone.com. Entry Rules: Each testimonial that includes a picture or video will be entered in a drawing to win Dr. Colbert’s new book, Dr. Colbert’s Healthy Gut Zone. To make sure you are entered, send in your testimonial as directed above. Then, add a comment below and let us know you sent it in! Make sure to indicate if you sent a picture or video. A winner will be randomly chosen at the end of January 2021. Bottom Line These amazing recipes are a great kick-off for the New Year. We will continue to bring delicious, healthy, low-carb, high-nutrition recipes in 2021! To read the original article click here. For more articles from Dr. Colbert click here.

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