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Top 5 Healthiest Foods Ever

Posted by kentonbruice01 (My Page) on
Tue, Aug 25, 09 at 11:07

As people become more aware of the links between diet and health, more and more people are wanting to change their diet so they can lower cholesterol, lower blood pressure, lose weight, and increase their general health. But which foods are the healthiest? Which foods should you be adding to the grocery cart as you try to improve your diet?

1. Salmon. To gain the most benefits, fresh wild salmon is preferred, though canned wild salmon and fresh farm-raised salmon are also good choices. Salmon is packed with Omega 3 fatty acids, which can improve brain function as well as lower cholesterol levels. The American Heart Association recommends two servings of fish a week – it's easy to make canned wild salmon cakes one day, and grilled or pan-seared wild salmon another day later in the week. Your brain and heart will thank you for it!
2. Olive Oil. Extra Virgin Olive Oil is the least processed of the varieties of olive oil, and has the most documented benefits, though all olive oils contain healthy fats. The anti-oxidants in olive oil are good for the health of your heart and improve cholesterol levels. Use olive oil in your salad dressings, drizzle over vegetables before roasting, dunk a crusty piece of bread in it, and cook with it in place of vegetable or corn oils. Fat carries flavor, so toss your pasta with a bit of olive oil after cooking, rather than butter or margarine, and enjoy a wonderful taste – plus, new research is showing you could be lowering your risk for cancer and diabetes.
3. Soy. Soy beans are filled with protein – the only vegetable source of all the necessary amino acids, and studies have shown that soy protein is good for your heart. Naturally filled with calcium, omega 3 fatty acids, B-vitamins, iron, and fiber, soy protein packs a nutritional wallop. Soy protein is available in a myriad of forms – soymilk and tofu are the most well known, but steamed edamame (soybean pods) are a delicious snack, and you can find many other products enriched with soy protein. Soy protein can mimic estrogen, which can lower your risk of breast cancer, but if you are participating in bioidentical hormone replacement therapy, talk with your doctor before adding a lot of soy protein to your diet. Some health experts have questioned if Genetically Modified (GMO) soybeans are as healthy as non-GMO soy, so consider purchasing soy products that specify they are non-GMO.
4. Leafy Greens. Dark leafy greens such as spinach, kale, beet greens, chard, and bok choy are filled with vitamins and minerals. If you are worried about getting enough calcium for the health of your bones, dark leafy greens are a great source for calcium. Eat them raw in salads, sautéed with olive oil and garlic, or cooked in a soup or stir-fry - these delicious greens are great sources of vitamins A and C, iron, and fiber.
5. Berries. Whether you're talking about blueberries, raspberries, strawberries, cranberries, or acai berries, they are all rich in vitamins, good for cardiovascular health, and can help with weight loss. In addition to their anti-oxidant properties, blueberries contain a compound called anthocyanin, shown to slow aging processes in the brain. Whether you serve them raw or cooked, berries contain significant amounts of vitamin C, folic acid, fiber, and are low in calories and high in flavor!

If you enjoyed this article, please feel free to post it to your site or blog and forward this link to your friends. Have a great day!

kentonbruicemd
www.KentonBruiceMD.com
www.KentonBruiceMD.com/blog


Follow-Up Postings:

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RE: Top 5 Healthiest Foods Ever

Generally good nutrition advice from Doc Bruice - but this statement needs examination:

"Soy protein can mimic estrogen, which can lower your risk of breast cancer, but if you are participating in bioidentical hormone replacement therapy, talk with your doctor before adding a lot of soy protein to your diet. Some health experts have questioned if Genetically Modified (GMO) soybeans are as healthy as non-GMO soy, so consider purchasing soy products that specify they are non-GMO."

Soy protein may in fact be protective against breast cancer, at least in some groups, but the matter is not completely settled. In any case, lowered breast cancer risk would not be due to mimicking of estrogen (higher levels of this hormone in general predispose to an increased risk), but could relate to effects of soy isoflavones, which may lower natural estrogen levels in the body.
I've seen no evidence that GMO soybeans are any less healthy than non-GMO soybeans.

Of course, the healthiest advice on food is to limit calories overall, consume a balanced diet and not rely on "magic" foods.

It figured that Doc Bruice would slip something about "bioidentical" hormones into his post, as his major (and possibly only) reason for posting here is to advertise his practice which heavily promotes such hormone therapy. Maybe if we e-mailed the doc he'd consider actually partaking in discussions here (including the subject of "biodentical" hormones and their risks) rather than just spamming the forum.


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RE: Top 5 Healthiest Foods Ever

eric, did your comment mean The posters advice was good but he was a crumb bumb? It was an unclear post to me.
TIA


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RE: Top 5 Healthiest Foods Ever

Some of his nutritional advice is solid - i.e. eating things like leafy vegetables and berries.

On the other hand he's overhyping soy protein and questioning GMO soybeans without evidence.

Beyond that, this and the other posts he made within the span of a few days recently, seem designed primarily to promote his medical practice involving "bioidentical" hormones. He's never come back to answer any questions about the downside of such hormonal treatment, another sign that he just posted here to spam for his practice.


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RE: Top 5 Healthiest Foods Ever

Hello all
I take issue with soy. I try to stay away from it., like a plague. Ever since I heard two different author talk against it. I heard them on radio show.
food mfg sneak it in in so many ways. Under so many different names, too.
I used to eat tofu etc. No more. she also said that Japanese dont consume oy much except as Miso or tempah Spelling ?)
I try to eat fresh produce(presently from my garden) everyday.
I'm a senior and have been taking thyroid medications for over 30 plus years. Wish I knew what I knew now cause I would not have started on Synthroid etc.
Course I ate very very [poorly as a child. Still my weakness is sugar items. I try to bake most of my own stuff to avoid white sugar, preservatives and gluten products.
I was told last year I have Hashtimoto, (spelling ?). Im ticked off. Damn meds. I don't really want to take any.
Have an appt with another endocrinologist this month
Im supposedly hypo even though i have always been good or below weight.
Just chiming in with my opinions.
thanks all
Jean


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RE: Top 5 Healthiest Foods Ever

There are some people and organizations that vehemently oppose consumption of soy protein. Their opinions are not backed by good science. Some of them, like the Weston Price Foundation, also engage in fearmongering about other healthful products or interventions (in the case of WPF, water flouridation).

Soy is not a magical food, but can make up part of a healthy diet.

To clarify something about hypothyroidism: Hashimoto's thyroiditis is a common cause of low thyroid hormone production. It's an autoimmune disease, caused by antibodies that target the thyroid gland, not by excess weight.


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RE: Top 5 Healthiest Foods Ever

Personally, I don't think there is such a thing as [x] Healthiest foods -- just healthy ways of eating -- vegetables, fruits, grains, protein, etc. Whether soy has any bad effects or not, I imagine that, like everything, it's good in moderation and not good if you live off it -- though no doubt it's bad for anyone who, say, has an allergy to it. But thank you for the information -- it's certainly nice to know that things I happen to like are good for me. :P


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RE: Top 5 Healthiest Foods Ever

Well I love eating leafy green, vegetables are delicious and are good in our health.

Here is a link that might be useful: herbal products


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