Jun
27
2011
Hello my fans and let’s get right to the new research. Yes, the Best Diet in the Universe (BDITU)*** is on target. A new study by lead scientist Dr. Barbara Gower*, Professor of Nutrition Sciences at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, presented at the 93rd Annual Meeting of the Endocrine Society held in Boston, documents that cutting down on the intake of carbohydrates (i.e. starches, pasta, bread, sugar, etc.) will reduce the amount of “deep belly fat.” And, these reductions in deep fat may come with even little to no weight loss. How do you like that! As you have read here in my blog, the Best Diet in the Universe*** is exactly what the doctor ordered. The BDITU reduces the load of carbohydrate and introduces the body to a healthy stream of fruits, poly and monounsaturated fats, vegetable proteins and low fat dairy. According to Dr. Gower and her team, the loss of the deeper fat occurred mostly in non African Americans.
The low carbohydrate diet used by Dr. Gower and her associates consisted of the following breakdown of calories:
43 percent from carbohydrates
39 percent from fat
18 percent from protein
Using the above method, dieters on the restricted carb diet had 11 percent less deep fat than the subjects on the “standard” low fat diet. In addition, most dieters on the carb restricted plan had a 4 percent greater loss of ...
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Jun
26
2011
Hello my fans and yes, the Shiga-toxin producing bacteria E. Coli 0104:H4 is now being blamed for the hospitalizations and infections of seven people from the French city of Bordeaux. Over 40 people have been killed and thousands have been infected as a result of the German outbreak of enterohaemorrhagic E. coli (EHEC) associated with bean sprouts grown at an organic farm in the northern part of Germany ((Gaertnerhof farm in the village of Buenenbuettel). The culprit this time, according to French authorities, is a vegetable sprout grown from fenugreek and mustard seeds that apparently came from a British mail order company (Thompson & Morgan). The infected victims recalled eating gazpacho topped with sprouts.
The British Food Standards Agency is advising all people not to eat sprouted seeds including alfalfa, mung beans (or bean sprouts) and fenugreek unless “they are cooked until steaming hot throughout.”
France also stopped the sale of fenugreek, mustard and arugula sprout seeds from the British company.
No one is sure if the seeds used to make the sprouts are from the same group of seeds used to make the German sprouts.
One week ago, seven children in the French city of Lille, were infected with E. coli linked to frozen ground beef. The children, ranging in ages from 18 months to 8 years old, were being treated for the hemolytic uremic syndrome- which is a serious blood and kidney ailment. ...
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Jun
16
2011
Hello my fans. If you were expecting another update about the Superbug E. coli* in Germany or an installment in the Best Diet in the Universe Series*, you will just have to wait. Today’s column is about our kids. Yes, that’s right, our children and what they prefer to eat. Matthew A. Lapierre and his research associates at the University of Pennsylvania, tested the preferences and tastes of children using cereals, and found that the cereal packaging showing media characters (e.g. Ronald McDonald and Shrek, etc.) and the wording “Healthy” influenced their taste and preferences. Is this anything new? I don’t think so. Have you taken a walk down the aisle of the cereal section at your local food market? At eye level for our children to see, are box after box of their favorite cartoon characters promoting all types of cereals. Sugar coated, maple flavored, marshmallow added taste sensations abound. Chocolate bits, crunchy, chewy, and melt in your mouth images reach out to our kids as they make their way down the aisle. Haven’t we all heard , “Mommy, can I have…” Of course we have. But are they reaching out for the healthy choices? In my experience, they are not. Why? Why aren’t they picking the “Fiber Most” cereals? Well, if you look at the cereal boxes of the healthier cereals, the ones that have little to no ...
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Jun
12
2011
Hello my fans and here we go again. German authorities have again said that they are looking into bean sprouts from an organic farm in Lower Saxony, as the cause of the contaminated vegetables. Meanwhile the death rate has climbed to 30 with over 3000 people infected. The organic farm in question (Gaertnerhof Farm) has apparently been shut down and is no longer sending produce to market. Authorities have said its okay to start eating tomatoes, lettuce and cucumbers but to avoid bean sprouts.
E. coli is a bacterium that is found in the intestines of animals and humans. Produce (fruits and vegetables), does not produce this bacteria. So the fruits and vegetables get contaminated by the manure of animals (and humans). It is also suspected that animals that are fed antibiotics to prevent infections (or treat infections), produce a resistant strain of E. coli leading to the development of the new super strains of E. coli (e.g. Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli 0104:H4) we are seeing.
According to the CDC:
Shiga-toxin producing E. coli (STEC) infections can cause different gastrointestinal symptoms, which often include severe stomach cramps, diarrhea (often bloody), and vomiting. If there is fever, it is generally not very high (less than 101°F ). Hemolytic-uremic syndrome (HUS) is a disorder that usually occurs when an infection in the digestive system (such as STEC) produces toxic substances that destroy red blood cells and ...
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Jun
06
2011
The deadly bacteria E. coli 0104 also known as enterohaemorrhagic E. coli (EHEC) has spread to all parts of Germany as well as most of Europe and several cases have been confirmed in the United States. Most cases involve young women between the ages of 20 – 50. Besides Germany, Sweden has the highest number of confirmed cases of hemolytic-uremic syndrome (a blood infection and kidney failure) as a result of the EHEC infection. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the EHEC determined in the laboratory is the serotype 0104:H4 and the specific strain is the enteroaggregative Verocytotoxin-producing E. coli (EAggEC VTEC) 0104:H4.
Initially reported by German health officials, bean sprouts grown at an organic farm in northern Germany (Gaertnerhof farm in the village of Buenenbuettel) were implicated as a cause of the lethal bacteria. Now that doesn’t seem to be the case. The Lower Saxony agriculture ministry did an about face and retracted the bean sprout story, apparently finding no evidence of the EHEC after testing. So the search goes on. After initially implicating Spanish cucumbers, now bean sprouts are out as a suspect, at least for now.
So where do we go next? The advisory is still in effect: DO NOT EAT RAW TOMATOES, LETTUCE, BEAN SPROUTS OR CUCUMBERS when traveling in the northern part of Germany. Seek medical care if you have eaten these raw vegetables and or ...
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Jun
05
2011
Hello my fans and welcome to another breaking news story: the cause of the deadly super E. coli (Escherichia coli) bacteria that has killed 22 people and affected over 2200, has been found to be related to bean sprouts grown in the Lower Saxony region of Germany. Several cases of the super E. coli 0104:H4 (STEC0104:H4) bacteria have been found in the United States, in people that had traveled to Germany. The E. coli illness has been reported in patients all over Europe and is caused by eating raw tomatoes, cucumbers, lettuce and bean sprouts. Apparently washing the vegetables has little effect on this super bug.
Symptoms from a crampy and bloody diarrhea to a deadly hemolytic-uremic syndrome producing kidney failure, a blood disorder and brain disease are being seen in people affected by this super bacteria. Women and people over the age of 20 seem to be the likely target. Is it because women eat more salads? It also is different in that the time from exposure to onset of symptoms maybe upwards of 12 days. And the kicker is that it seems to be resistant to all of our available antibiotics! This bacteria produces a toxin (Shiga toxin) which is a byproduct produced by some bacteria. The problem is that when the antibiotics kills the bacteria, the toxins are released and some of these toxins are more deadly than ...
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Jun
04
2011
Hello my fans, breaking news: MyPlate has replaced MyPyramid as the new food educational icon for the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). The round plate shape is in and the pyramid structure is out. The new MyPlate message is the following:
A. Fruits and veggies should now make up half of your daily calorie intake.
B. Grains make up over one quarter and should be mostly whole grains.
C. Proteins make up less than a quarter of the calories for the day and include a recommendation for everyone (except vegetarians) to eat at least 8 ounces of cooked seafood per week. Less for younger children based on age.
D. Dairy should be either 2 or three cups depending on age and ONLY low fat or fat free.
E. Reduce your sodium intake.
F. Increase water intake and reduce and avoid sugary drinks.
The USDA spent approximately 2 million dollars to develop the new icon which includes promotional monies for the first year of its use. Yes, its simple and appears easier to understand than the pyramid. There is no mention of servings or portions? But I guess that depends on the size of your plate! The largest percentage of the plate goes to the plant foods which without a doubt are the healthiest foods you can consume. Unfortunately, most of us are not eating enough fruits and veggies. What are you waiting for? Low fat and ...
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