Weekly Wellness
Issue 202
Featured Article
Fitness Tip
Multivitamins
Most multivitamin formulas have too much iron for men. That's why "senior" formulas, which have little or no iron, are much more appropriate for adult men of any age. Look for a brand with 8mg or less. Men who eat an iron-fortified breakfast cereal will have already covered their daily iron needs. Getting substantially more iron than you need raises risks for a variety of conditions, including some that are potentially serious.
Nutrition Tip
Antioxidants Fight Aging
Would you like to know which foods age you fast so you can avoid them? A new test developed at the State University of New York in Buffalo identifies which foods generate the most particles called free radicals. Free radicals are major suspects as skin-agers, memory robbers, eyesight dimmers and even cancer starters. Sugar and saturated fat seem to be the worst for generating free radicals, while orange juice, with so many antioxidants, seems to reduce them. Antioxidants, such as the vitamin C in orange juice, can deactivate free radicals before they age you. That is even more of a reason to eat foods high in vitamins such as fruits and vegetables.
Nutrient of the Week
Ginkgo Leaf
Ginkgo Leaf benefits a very wide array of brain, nerve, and circulatory conditions, including age related memory loss (AMD). Primarily, it increases blood flow to the brain and central nervous system and promotes peripheral circulation. It is powerfully antioxidant and protects nerve cells, leading to the conclusion that it may help with diseases of aging, especially in the central nervous and cardiovascular systems. Ginkgo is a mood elevator, especially for those with reduced brain circulation, particularly elderly people. It relieves PMS symptoms.
Quick Recipe
Chix Stix
Heat oven to 425-degrees. Cut four boneless, skinless chicken breast halves into 1/4-inch strips. Brush all sides of the chicken with low-fat mayonnaise and then dip and coat all sides into 1-cup breadcrumbs (seasoned crumbs work great, too, if you would like to zip up the flavor). Place on foil-lined baking sheet; bake 15 minutes or until golden and juices run clear. Make a dip from half low-fat mayonnaise and half honey-mustard sauce. Serve with potato nuggets, such as Tater Tots and tiny green peas (frozen).
Tidbit(s)
Do Not Overuse Antibiotics
When antibiotics are used again and again, new generations of bacteria become resistant to those antibiotics. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that half of the 100 million antibiotic courses prescribed each year are unnecessary. Antibiotics work only on bacteria, not on cold and flu viruses. When you are sick, wait a few days before you ask for antibiotics. Viruses cause most respiratory infections. To treat a cold or flu, first try over-the-counter remedies containing decongestants, fever reducers (if fever is over 101) or antihistamines. If your symptoms last longer than the normal course of a cold (three to four days) or the flu (seven to ten days), see a doctor.
Food Fixes
You can "speed-chill" champagne in about 20 minutes by completely submerging the bottle in a bucket filled with half ice and half water. This will chill the wine much faster than ice alone.
Cut down on calories and wine consumption by making wine spritzers. Pour about 4 ounces wine into a wineglass filled with ice cubes, fill the glass with carbonated water and stir gently. Top with a thin slice of lemon, if desired.
Toss your favorite salsa with greens for a snappy, low-fat salad dressing.
To quickly bring refrigerated eggs to room temperature, place them in a bowl of very warm, but not hot, water for 5 to 10 minutes.