Weekly Wellness
Issue 176
Featured Article
Thyroid Disease - Are You Suffering From Hypothyroidism?
Fitness Tip
Heart Smart Exercise Strategy
If you are trying to keep your cholesterol under control, exercising for long periods of time may be more beneficial than shorter high-intensity workouts. Here is why: Saturated fats are broken down into acetone units, which the liver uses to make cholesterol. When you burn calories through exercise, acetone units are used for energy rather than cholesterol production. Lengthy exercise sessions allow you to burn more calories than intense exercise, since the latter causes muscle soreness and limits your ability to exercise on subsequent days.
Nutrition Tip
Cinnamon Remedy
A dash of cinnamon could significantly lower your cholesterol, triglycerides, and blood sugar.
When 30 women and men with type 2 diabetes added a sprinkle to their meals, blood sugar and heart-damaging blood fats (total cholesterol and triglycerides) fell 12 to 30 percent in just 40 days, say researchers at the USDA's Beltsville Human Nutrition Research Center in Maryland.
Cinnamon makes muscle and liver cells more sensitive to signals from insulin, an important blood-sugar-controlling hormone. Have a little (about 1/6 teaspoon) at breakfast, lunch, and dinner, for a daily total of about 1/2 teaspoon, he recommends. Since cinnamon may reduce your need for diabetes or cholesterol medication, ask your doctor if you need to adjust your dose.
Nutrient of the Week
Euphrasia (euphrasia officinalis)
Euphrasia (euphrasia officinalis) or eyebright is an herb the name of which comes from the Greek word euphrosyne which means "gladness". Euphrasia has been used for centuries for various eye problems. It is also used topically, mixed with other herbs to treat conjunctivitis and other inflammations or as an eyewash.
Quick Recipe
Bruschetta
Bruschetta - Follow this link to view this recipe now. Thank you!
Tidbit(s)
17,000 Trainers Must be Right!
In a nationwide survey of 17,000 certified trainers (including yours-truly) conducted by the American Council on Exercise, the squat was voted the overwhelming favorite exercise because it strengthens all of the major muscles of the lower body. Other top trainer choices for a well-rounded fitness program include abdominal exercises, yoga, running, lunges, walking and push-ups.
Food Fixes
Mini-kabobs: Use toothpicks as your skewers. Thread pineapple pieces, small chunks of cheese, green bell pepper, strawberries, grape tomatoes, fresh broccoli... the list is endless. Make these up ahead of time and have handy in the refrigerator.
Stuff a miniature marshmallow in the bottom of a sugar cone to prevent ice cream drips.
To prevent a clogged pepper shaker place a dried pea in the pepper container.
To keep salt from clumping put rice or pinto beans in bottom of salt shaker.