Simply Nutrition

It's Official! Organic Foods Are More Nutritious

Evidence continues to build that a) the nutrient density of conventionally grown fruits and vegetables has been steadily declining, and b) organic foods are indeed more nutritious than non-organic. Since 2001 more than 40 new studies have been published comparing the nutrient value of conventionally produced and organic foods. The Organic Center, in the US, has recently produced a report detailing the results of their analysis of 97 published, peer-reviewed research, which compared the nutrient levels of organic and conventionally grown produce. A total of eleven nutrients were examined:

A daily dose of "brainberries"

The dietary secrets to excellent brain health lie in the combination of polyphenols found in berries and fatty acids found in foods such as walnuts, and avocados. According to James A. Joseph, PhD (researcher in brain aging at the Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging at Tufts University), the antioxidant plant chemicals, or polyphenols found in blueberries, blackberries or raspberries, have a particularly complex relationship with long-chain fatty acids. Together, the potent mixture of polyphenols and fatty acids "fluidise" the nerve cell membrane. A combination of blueberries and walnuts, for example, make the membrane more responsive to a wide array of signals from neurotransmitters (e.g. serotonin and dopamine). The antioxidant effects of polyphenols, and the membrane fluidising effects of "good fats" provides a double-whammy approach to maintaining brain health.

So... try a daily brain-boosting helping of blueberries and walnuts, or raspberries and almonds, or avocado and pumpkin seeds, or strawberries and hazelnuts. Any of these combinations can be eaten in breakfasts, or in salads, or as desserts. There is no end to using your imagination with raw and wonderously healthy foods!

How to optimise your Vitamin D levels

Scientists and doctors are still learning and discovering the many widespread roles and functions of Vitamin D, and it's relation to health and disease prevention. New information is emerging all the time, and it is becoming clearer as to "What is the optimum level of Vitamin D we should have in the body?", and if levels are NOT optimal - "How can we optimise Vitamin D levels?" Well, some new and interesting research is leading us once again to the understanding that "OPTIMUM" vitamin D intake should be much higher than the current recommended amount.

A very recent study (American Journal of Clinical Nutrition June 2008; 87(6):1952-1958) of 138 subjects suggested a daily dose of 3800 IU for those with adequate blood vitamin D levels, and 5000 IU each day for those who are vitamin D deficient. The current recommended intakes for vitamin D are as low as 200 IU daily for those aged 19-50, and go only as high as 600 IU daily for those over the age of 70.

Face exercises for symmetry and beauty

Maybe your idea of beauty is somewhat different to my own... most likely it is, just as the next person's and the next person's and so on and so on! As the saying goes, "Beauty is in the eye of the beholder". Personally, I see beauty in people's eyes, in their voices, in their smiles, and of course in a person's words, behaviour and overall personality. I think all this can make a person "beautiful", or "ugly" for that matter. Physical beauty, I believe, is something we can all have, by simply making the very most of the body we have been blessed with, appreciating our individuality, "loving ourselves", deciding, no matter what, that "we are beautiful", respecting the physical body, and taking good care of what is essentially, the home of the soul, or spirit or "self". There is a saying which goes something along the lines of...   "A healthy body is a home for the soul. An unhealthy body is a prison"! Profound, and yet so true. So what about "facial beauty"?

A Dog's Perspective on Life...

It must be morning; I'm hungry.
Then again, I'm always hungry, so it could really be any time.
I can hear the shower and feel the sun on my back, so I'm guessing the Boss is awake.
I lift my head off my bed and look down the passage.
I want a shower too.

Sometimes I try and get in but he won't let me.
Boring.
He's not so happy in the mornings any more.
He used to be, but things have changed.
I think it's stress.

Mindful Living is Healthy Living

Mindful living is simply living in a state of awareness. Being fully aware of our thoughts and needs (physical, mental and emotional) and most importantly how the body is communicating those needs, is fundamental to living a healthy, and happy life. Harnessing your ability to listen to your body (and act in accordance) is a valuable skill to carry through life, and one that can be easily learned. It just takes a bit of practice!

Since food and nutrition plays such a major (and vital) role in health, let’s discuss awareness around food, and the role that food and diet plays (or should play) in one’s day-to-day living. Developing a healthy attitude toward oneself, toward food, as well as developing healthy behaviour around food is “key” to physical and mental health. It also happens to be the pillar that supports success with weight loss. The better or healthier one’s relationship is with one’s “self”, the better the relationship with food, and the greater the chances of having a healthy, balanced body and mind.

Do dried fruits contain more nutritional value than fresh fruits?

This is a great question - and answered brilliantly on whfoods.org - a wonderful food and nutrition resource! I have reprinted it here in full...

The answer is simple. When you dry fruits, you lose more than just water. You also lose nutrients. For example, when it comes to berries, much of their uniqueness is derived from their phytonutrients. Flavonoids like peonidin, petunidin, malvidin, and many others found in berries are susceptible to damage from heat, light, oxygen, and time-since-harvest. While some drying processes are harsher than others, no drying process can leave the phytonutrient content of these berries significantly unchanged.

For your own personal growth...

Personal growth or personal development is something I value immensely in my life, as many others I know do too. Sometimes (preferably daily) we need to take a little "time out" to concentrate on our own individual paths of spiritual growth, following our passions and goals in life, and staying "on track" as much as we can. What is hugely helpful to me in this respect is daily journalling and constant reading (one of my passions in life!). I have been reading several books recently, and found the following to be of great inspiration to me personally, and I want to share them with you - the reader! All are quite different, but each is written by "big", forward-thinking teachers and coaches in the world of health, wealth, and spiritual development. All are too, in my mind very special and gifted human beings, whose one common goal is to help others find their personal paths to peace, joy and happiness. If you are in any way interested in living healthily and happily, and being the best person you can be (which I sincerely hope you are!) then you will find great learning and guidance in these 4 fantastic books... Harmonic Wealth - by James Arthur Ray, Healing Happens with Your Help - by Carol Ritberger, and Pure - by Stephen Russell (Barefoot Doctor). Read on for my reviews!

Turbulence Training 21-day trial offer..

I am a great fan of Turbulence Training (fat loss interval training), simply for it's "time-efficient" fitness, strength and fat loss benefits. For only $4.95 (£2.50), why not take up Craig Ballantyne's 21-day trial offer to try Turbulence Training. Male or female - if you are bored with your gym workouts, not getting the results you want, or simply looking for some excellent instruction for strengthening and toning your body - look NO further. Craig is a great teacher, and article writer, and frequently posts instructional training videos on YouTube. Go to youtube.com and search "Turbulence Training". It is worth listening to US Fitness trainer Jillian Michaels views on Turbulence Training!

Did Statin Drugs Cause Senator Ted Kennedy's Brain Tumor?

This headline certainly caught my eye too! Knowing of the side-effects and dangers of statin medications taken long-term (i.e. depletion of the vital "energy" and heart nutrient coenzyme Q10, as well as Vitamin D, and the anti-cancer cell-modulating substance known as isoprenoids, as well as statin's immune-suppressing effects, and their interference with the body's natural survival mechanisms), I was immediately compelled to read the entire piece. Written by Byron J. Richards, Board-Certified Clinical Nutritionist and founder of Wellness Resources, it appears in full (with extra links) on NaturalNews.com. I have reprinted it (with permission) here too. Take time to read...