Latest Nutrition Articles

Constipation: Are You Poisoning Yourself?

Sat, 31 Jul 2010 02:07:37 -0700

Nobody likes to talk about constipation – supposedly it isn’t polite. So we suffer with our pain and inconvenience in silence, desperately hoping that relief will miraculously come, the sooner the better.

OK, let me clear up two things here. First, it’s perfectly all right to talk about constipation! How else will you get the information you need to help yourself if not through honest, open dialogue? And second, you don’t need to keep suffering. Solutions are as close as your kitchen.

The sooner you start on an aggressive plan to combat your constipation, the better. Because the longer you remain stopped up, the more you are poisoning your body. That’s right, poisoning yourself! Between the wrong foods you’re eating, the right foods you’re missing, and the fact that the stuff that needs to come out is trapped inside your body, you are definitely poisoning yourself. No wonder you feel so poorly!

To begin detoxifying your body and feeling better, you’ve got to take a good, close look at your routine and make some necessary changes.

Think about your daily habits. What do you do first thing in the morning? If you’re like many people, you have a cup of coffee, maybe with a bit of milk and sugar. Yikes! Several things are very wrong with this morning routine. Research shows a direct link between coffee and constipation. Cow’s milk causes hard, dry stools. Sugar disturbs the natural digestion process.

The bottom line is that you need to be drinking water in the morning, not coffee! Drink pure, clean water – lots of it, with a bit of lemon juice. This will help you get regular. Look at what else you eat on a typical day.

Maybe a sugary pastry for breakfast, an order of fries with lunch, pizza and soda for dinner … where’s the nutrition here? And just as importantly, where’s the fiber? In order to escape the cycle of constipation, you need a lot of water, preferably 8 to 12 glasses a day, and plenty of fiber.

Living foods will give you the fiber you need to stop poisoning your body and start getting waste out in a timely manner.

These foods include raw fruits, vegetables, seeds, and nuts. They’ll supply you with valuable nutrients while cleaning out your insides. Did you know that a healthy colon eliminates waste in 6 to 18 hours?

If you haven’t had a bowel movement in days, then you know your colon needs help! When waste remains in your intestines this long, toxins form. Even worse, they get absorbed into your body, carried to your cells by your bloodstream. This poisoning will result in many unpleasant symptoms.

These are just some of what you may be experiencing because of constipation:

    * Headaches
    * Feeling sluggish
    * Lacking energy
    * Lower back pain
    * Irritability
    * Chronic fatigue
    * Bad breath
    * Hemorrhoids
    * Skin problems

You may think that these are isolated problems, but if chronic constipation is poisoning your body, you can bet these are interrelated issues. Take care of your colon first, and watch these and other symptoms diminish and eventually disappear.

Think of colon cleansing as flushing out your system.

The quicker and more completely you flush things out, the healthier you will be and the better you will feel. I can’t stress enough the importance of water and fiber-rich foods like raw vegetables and fruits. You can also drink raw vegetable juices. They provide a perfect combination of liquid and fiber to really get things moving! Other colon-friendly foods include flax seeds, green foods such as alfalfa, wheatgrass, and spirulina, and foods that are rich in magnesium, such as figs and dark leafy greens.

Another way to get your bowels moving is to get you moving. Exercising your body improves your circulation and helps your digestive system. Part of the reason you’re constipated may be that you’re not moving enough, especially if your job involves sitting all day long. Take action! Bring regular exercise into your life. We’re not talking extreme sports here – you’ll be amazed at what something as simple as a brisk walk three or four times a week will do for you.

While you’re at it, take care of other areas of your life you might have been neglecting lately. Make sure you get enough sleep. ~Don’t eat when you’re upset; you and your colon will feel much better if you eat when you’re calm and relaxed. Give yourself enough time to eat. Instead of wolfing down your meal, chew each mouthful 20 to 30 times before you swallow.

Even your attitude makes a difference to your colon health. The more positive you are, and the less you worry, the less constipated you’ll be.Colon health is as important to your body as heart health or brain health. Every system is affected when chronic constipation poisons you. The good news is that you don’t have to keep taking it. You can do something to promote your colon health. Why not start today?

Products to Take Advantage Of From Alkaline Kangen Water

Wed, 17 Feb 2010 19:57:39 -0800

What does every person need to survive? Water! Therefore, it only makes sense that you would want to drink the cleanest and most purified water possible. Kangen(TM), which is a trademark of the leading Kangen ionizer manufacturer in Japan, has done the most research on drinking water compared to anywhere else. For this reason, here are 5 products you will want to take advantage of from Alkaline Kangen Water.

1. Super 501

If you are looking for quality, this is the top of the line for heavy home use. It is an extremely productive machine that comes with a whopping 12 electrode plates, a twin hose system, and an incredible cleaning system. If that were not enough, it also features a build-in tank for the electrolysis enhancer and a water pressure regulating function that is ideal for a large family.

2. Leveluk SD501-U

This is the newest addition to their superb line of quality products that offers pure power and quality directly to your kitchen sink. No longer will you have to sacrifice your counter space as this unit allows you to operate it with a fully featured compact LCD wall-mounted control panel. It is fully automatic making it easier to use than ever and it generates a number of different kinds of water.

3. JR II

A middle-grade system from Kangen Water is the JR II which is a true energy saver. This system has three solid electrode plates that will help reduce the energy consumption. Because of the solid platinum-coated titanium plates, it can still produce the strong acid and strong Kangen waters these systems are known for. This is perfect for small families or couples because of the lower power consumption and fewer plates.

4. SD 501

This is one of the most popular models available as it features 7 electrode plates and produces water with a higher negative ORP. It is fully automatic and comes with a built-in tank that is perfect for the electrolysis enhancer. Although it is larger than the SUNUS, it is still rather compact.

5. SUNUS

If you are looking for improved water quality but do not need anything above and beyond, the SUNUS unit is perfect for you. This is the starter model for home use as the compact size makes it convenient for traveling or moving. Although it does not produce the strong alkaline or acidic waters, it will produce all drinking waters and improve the overall quality.

These are just a few of the many products you can find today. Whether you are looking for the top of the line unit or something to improve your water, there is a little bit of everything from Kangen to choose from.

Get a Thin Girlfriend-Are You Fit For It?

Sun, 07 Feb 2010 13:13:16 -0800

Get a Thin Girlfriend-Are you fit for it?

Are you one of those people that only wants to date a thin man or woman?

Have you looked at yourself in the mirror lately?

Are you asking for something that you are not even delivering yourself? If you answered "yes" to some of these questions, where do you go from here?

Perhaps you have wanted to make changes but are unsure of how to start. I know that you have read many articles regarding weight loss and can't decide which is better, low-fat, low-carbohydrate, high-protein, and so forth.

Before we get to that question, I want you to be aware of a medical term. This term is called the Basal Metabolic Rate or BMR. The BMR is how many calories your body burns while at total rest. This value is influenced by, age, current weight, height, sex, and many other factors. If you search online, you will find many online calculators. For example, my BMR is about 1542 Calories per day. This number is then multiplied by a factor to get an estimate of my total caloric needs. I my case, I would multiply by 1.55, the factor for a moderately active person, to the BMR. This results in a total caloric intake of 2390 Calories to maintain my current weight.

The difference between the BMR and my total caloric needs, is only 848 Calories. I now want make a ratio of this difference to my full caloric requirement. This ratio becomes 848 / 2390, or 35%.

This means that there is only a 35% difference between what I need to eat to live and what I need to eat with an active lifestyle and not gain weight! That is not much of a difference to work with.

If we look at some high Calorie foods, we can see how little this is. Two oatmeal cookies are about 250 Calories and one cup of butter pecan ice cream will pile on 600 Calories. We have already eaten our 850 Calorie difference!

So, how do we solve this difficult problem?

The answer is simple and not so simple at the same time. Despite all the variations in diet types that you may be aware of, if you burn up more calories than you consume, you will lose weight. If you burn less, you will gain weight. This is a well proven fact.

One way to do this is by calorie counting. There are numerous software tools, many for free, that will help you accomplish this task. I downloaded a free program to my iPhone called "Lose It!" that I use to record each meal and keep track of my daily intake. I find it fun to use and very helpful.

It is true that there are problems with calorie counting as it is tedious and it is sometimes difficult to know the portion size. But, it is still a good way to start and learn how much you can eat.

Here are some easy tips to follow:

Be sure to see your doctor before you embark on any diet or exercise plan
Don't skip meals as it is associated with obesity
Eat slowly giving enough time for the "I've eaten enough" feeling to develop
Eat a healthy diet
Avoid liquid calories
Find a sports activity you enjoy and can do regularly

For more information on this and other dating and health topics, please visit my website at www.get-that-girlfriend.com.

The next time that you decide that you want a skinny girlfriend, remember the old saying, "What is good for the goose is good for the gander."

Now, that is some food for thought!

This article is not meant to serve as medical advice or treatment and is provided for informational and entertainment purposes. Please see your doctor before starting any exercise or diet program.

How Using a Calorie Counter will Help You Lose Weight

Tue, 19 Jan 2010 01:11:36 -0800

There is so much talk about carbohydrates, protein, good fats, bad fats, and the list goes on. Everyone has something different to say about what will make you lose weight; cut out this, eat more of that. It can get quite overwhelming. The bottom line is if you consume more calories than you burn, you will gain weight. If you burn more calories than you consume, you will lose weight. If the amount of calories burned is equal to the amount of calories consumed, then you will maintain your current weight. It's not ultimately about the types of food you eat and where the calories are coming from; it's all about the amount consumed versus the amount used.

This fact alone proves the usefulness of counting calories in order to lose weight. A calorie counter can help you to know and track the number of calories that are entering your body based on the foods you eat and their portion sizes. This will enable you to analyze your diet and make the necessary changes. You will be able to chart and control your calories, which will allow you to change your dietary habits accordingly so that you can reach your weight loss goals quickly and effectively.

A calorie counter can help you to determine how many calories your body needs to be able to function each day. From there, you can factor in your physical activity level to know how much to consume and how much to burn to be able to lose weight. The average American consumes far more calories than he or she needs each day, thus the epidemic of weight gain and creeping obesity. Whatever calories are not used are stored as fat.

Using a calorie counter can be quite an eye-opening experience. Most people don't realize how calorie-dense their diet actually is. During holiday seasons, the amount of calories consumed is off the charts. An excess of calories can make you feel sluggish and tired, which causes you to reach for a quick pick up or sugar fix such as a candy bar or soda. These types of foods and drinks don't satiate, and you find yourself hungry in just a short time. Thus the cycle repeats.

A calorie counter will help you to identify bad habits and hidden calories that slip in without you even realizing. Then you will be able to attack the problem at the source.

How To Use a Calorie Counter

Tue, 19 Jan 2010 00:47:12 -0800

If you are trying to lose weight and you can't seem to make those pounds melt off, it might be those extra calories you are ingesting every day without thinking about. Many people believe that they should be losing weight because they are not eating large meals. However, they fail to count the mocha lattes and potato chips they are eating between those meals. Those lattes can pack a caloric punch, some weighing in at around 1,000 calories or more. If you are not losing weight, you might not be counting your calories correctly.

A calorie counter is an online program that allows you to put in the foods you're eating to find out exactly how many calories you are consuming every day. Many people are not aware of how many calories different kinds of foods have. For instance, if you are going out to lunch and you go to a sandwich shop to grab a bite to eat, the eatery might not have a calorie handout with nutrition facts. Therefore, if you are on a diet, how are you supposed to know where that particular lunch will put you calorie-wise? The answer is the calorie counter. Simply punch in the kind of bread and condiments on your sandwich as well as the type of meats and veggies you've added and the calorie counter will give you an estimated calorie count for your food. It can also help you become more aware of the calories to be expected in different types of meals.

When you can become more aware of the calories you are consuming, you will have more of a chance of being able to take control of your weight. With a calorie counter on your desktop, simply keep track of the foods you are eating on a daily basis to find out where you are having your problems. If you find out that one particular lunch is delivering many more calories than you originally believed, you can cut back and therefore cut back those pounds.

Many people believe that losing weight is all in their heads. The truth is that it is a simple mathematic equation. If you burn more calories than you consume, you will lose weight. With a calorie counter, you can become more aware of the calories you are consuming and therefore alter your lifestyle to lose weight. In many cases, the calorie counter has been the difference between fat and fabulous.

Fatburn7 diet pills deliver the hottest body around

Thu, 07 Jan 2010 17:42:30 -0800

As you sit in front of your television set and wonder about the hard work that Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie must have put in to sculpt their bodies so beautifully, you won't be able to help but feel that you will never be as hot as they are. This is where you are going wrong as with the latest weight loss supplements that have hit the market, there simply is nobody who can stop you from attaining the perfect body that will make you fit enough to flaunt yourself in a television set.

In creating the perfect diet pills that promise to transform your life; a team of pharmacists, physicians and research scientists will get engaged to do the right research on the ingredients that have been studied well for their weight loss properties. With the backing of an appropriate certification that ensure both good quality and immense potency, some weight loss supplements are designed to work hard on your body throughout the day to ensure that you end up looking like a Greek god who has come back to inhabit earth.

Our body weight is normally manipulated by factors like energy output and exercise or expenditure, calorie intake or the food intake and the efficiency of the body in processing those calories that stops them from turning into fat. Thus, well researched weight loss supplements aim at addressing these factors and aid in burning fat, suppressing appetite, increasing metabolism, preventing fat deposit formation, increasing muscle tissue formation and reduce the craving for the major fat producing carbohydrates. So diet pills which target these attributes will undoubtedly be the drug that hits the markets such that it will be consumed by men and women alike.

Weight loss supplements have to cater to men and women very differently as their bodies are extremely different and hence their metabolism and functioning is just as different. Men are more focused on building muscle than on losing weight but these two are strongly related as shedding body weight is essential in developing a lean body and getting the washboard abs that all body conscious men desire. Thus these diet pills focus on burning belly fat, increase lean muscle tissue and in increasing metabolism in men that will enable men to gain better abdominal definition and develop a good muscular physique that will be equivalent to doing a really vigorous workout.

Women are normally more weight conscious and thus will be essentially looking after their dietary habits as a woman's agenda is in weight loss and not in gaining too much muscle that makes her appear masculine. Thus weight loss supplements will change the way a woman feels about weight loss as it will target the problems women face in losing weight like difficulty with exercise, thyroid imbalance and difficult diet regimens. So diet pills work wonders on women by delivering a slender waistline, suppressing appetites and cravings for carbohydrates that render them confident enough to sport fashionable outfits.

So go ahead and rush to the nearest place where you can find these weight loss supplements that promise to reinvent you and give you a whole new life you had never imagined. And don't feel ashamed of standing in front of the mirror and saying out aloud that ‘I am simply smoking hot'.

What Are The Hidden Dangers of Soy?

Sat, 02 Jan 2010 17:40:35 -0800

Since the popularity of the soybean rose in the 1930s and 40s it has become known as "The Miracle Bean," because it has a wide variety of uses and could be grown cheaply and abundantly. Its high protein content made it a super charger for animal feed and the fact that it was practically tasteless and colorless made it ideal for processed food.

And of course, it's good for you, right?

Not so, according to Dianne Gregg, author of The Hidden Dangers of Soy from Outskirts Press (www.hiddensoy.com). Her research has shown that too much soy in your diet can cause symptoms such as nausea, bloating, gastric disorders, unusual weight gain, thyroid disease, palpitations, shortness of breath and lack of energy.

"The image of soy is that it's this protein-packed guardian of health, but there is more and more evidence to show it's anything but that," she said. "Soy can cause thyroid damage, infertility, low testosterone in men, hair loss, digestive problems, early puberty in girls, and the development of breasts in boys. There are claims that soy lowers cholesterol, but in 2005 the American Heart Association retracted their endorsement because their studies showed that there was only a three percent decline in cholesterol levels and it wasn't significant enough to make that claim. In fact, it's been documented that prisoners in Illinois are getting sick because meat products have been replaced with soy-based products."

Soy beans are used in a wide array of food products, oils, soap, cosmetics, resins, plastics, inks, crayons, solvents, and clothing. Soybean oil is the primary source of biodiesel in the United States, accounting for 80 percent of domestic biodiesel production. Soybeans have also been used since 2001 as fermenting stock in the manufacture of a brand of vodka. It's a great commercial crop for American farmers, and is now grown on more acres than even corn.

"In today's market it's challenging to escape the reach of soy, because more than 60 percent of the food commercially available contains some form of soy," she said. "Even the fast food industry is getting into the game by claiming zero trans fats on many of their menu items, when in fact they are using soybean oil for frying and adding soy flour as filler to hamburger meat to increase their profits."

Gregg said there are three key tips for reducing your soy intake:

• Stop feeding infants soy formula that has been shown to disrupt reproduction development and increase allergy risks.
• More than 60% of the foods on the grocery store shelves contain some form of soy. It's important to know what to look for when it's not listed on the label. Most sauces, broths, canned soups and salad dressings contain soy, although it is not always listed as an ingredient on the label because the product is used in processing the foods, as opposed to as a direct ingredient.
• Stop drinking soy milk and eating soy products, except for unfermented soy which consists of miso, natto, and tempeh. Eat more grains, vegetables, fruits and wild fish as an alternative source for protein.

"The FDA is the culprit for the proliferation of soy, because it has allowed big agri-businesses who have been funding political campaigns for years to cut corners in their food production by using cheap fillers like soy, pesticides, herbicides and now, genetically modified foods," Gregg said. "Many of these are the same agents the Environmental Protection Agency claims cause cancer. In fact, the EPA considers 60 percent of all herbicides, 90 percent of all fungicides and 30 percent of all insecticides carcinogenic. So why is the FDA allowing farmers to use them in our food? It's time to safeguard our homes from these foods, and at the same time, demand the government stop giving big corporate farmers a free ride at the expense of our health."

The significance of Diet meant for Quality of Life.

Sun, 20 Dec 2009 04:54:33 -0800

The evolution of shopping by Internet entails a savoir-faire consumer due to the unlimited amount of choices accessible within the virtual natural environment. In the present day there isn't sufficient time to continually shop for items in person. The greatest quality choices are obtainable via the world wide web. These are items that break down the borders linking countries and help the buyer generate the finest decisions meant for their families. Statistics estimate to simply greater than 25% of the world's population are regular Internet users. Inside North America alone at hand are approximately 75% of the population who make use of the Internet each calendar day. The most accepted Internet sites are the interactive type.

There is an growth of up to 20% of users each year who shop online. The marketplace capabilities meant for online shopping are just going to swell every year. There are so many specialty items existing that there has to remain a way to educate the consumer to produce the highest quality choices obtainable there. Since English is still the dominant language in support of business the capabilities of marketing online are staggering. A number of countries within the planet come up with increased their Internet usage by 300% in one year. Another phenomenon that is occurring is that due to all of the information accessible to us and the discourses around what is fundamentally imperative to all of us, here is an increasing awareness approaching healthiness. There are many schemes exposed there so as to target the way to cheat your way to better wellbeing. Scientists have calculated many causes of several of the biggest health problems nowadays and they would be heart disease and all of the chronic disorders such as diabetes that are connected with poor nourishment. Making healthy food choices on a regular basis positively contributes to longevity. Not solitary can humans educate themselves about how to live longer, but they can additionally educate themselves on how to live a better quality of life. Chronic wellbeing problems can be prevented by a healthy diet. Chronic conditions plant a strain on the health care system inside each country and they can furthermore leave a monetary strain on individual families.

This website www.Thomasiustin.Com helps citizens to cut back on foods that bring on chronic wellbeing conditions such as: Diabetes, obesity, and heart disease by suggesting the best in quality cooking ingredients and cooking methods. These large commercial farmers who grow the machinery assisted natural crops apply pesticides which are damaging chemicals that have made their way into the food procession. The occurrences of cancer have increased due to the aid of these pesticides. Organic products turn up from naturally grown foods that are not assisted by chemicals to help them grow. These organic products are high ranking in cancer fighting antioxidants so they essentially enhance the lives of the people who eat them on a regular basis. These antioxidants are occur naturally equally part of the plant's method to fight off pests. Here are organic products that are exceptional in quality than others due to the particulars of the climates that they are developed in. Consumers need to focus on the areas that allow the optimal soil conditions designed for these products. Www.Thomasjustin.Com offers the consumers The most educated researched choices available at hand. Diet ought to be the number one preventative gauge for life prolonged wellbeing.

Organic Products - What Does It Mean To Be Organic

Thu, 15 Oct 2009 19:20:15 -0700

In 1933, Lord Northbourne published a book titled 'Look to the Land,' in which he outlined certain methods of food production he termed 'Organic.' His goal was to establish a view of the farm as an organism, self-contained and self-sustaining, in opposition to what he termed unsustainable 'chemical farming' relying on fertilizers and chemical pesticides. In large part, this organic farming was not a particular change from traditional farming techniques at the time.

In the mid-20th century, the ‘Green Revolution' led to widespread methods of chemical and industrialized farming that is still used today. As a reaction to the perceived weaknesses of these modern farming techniques, organic farming has grown in popularity in recent decades and particularly in the last ten years.

What is Organic?

Briefly, organic food is that which is farmed using organic farming methods. This means excluding food additives and genetically modified ingredients and avoiding the use of inorganic farming techniques such as chemical pesticides or crop irradiation. The exact definition of organic food can vary - according to the FDA, food is considered Organic if it consists of 95% or more organic ingredients. Other markets may have greater or fewer restrictions, depending on the criteria of various government agencies and the terms they set.

Know Your Food

Prior to the modern boom in organic popularity, the only way to be certain a product was organic was direct observation. Organically minded consumers would visit local farms and buy directly from farmers they knew to rely on organic techniques. They could observe firsthand the way produce was grown or the techniques used to milk cows. They could discuss changes and conditions with their provider, and generally the motto of the day was "Know your farmer, know your food."

This changed with the rapid increase in demand for organic food in recent years - as entire organic supermarkets such as Whole Foods came into being, consumption moved into the mainstream. Not everyone in the suburbs or major urban centers of the world is equipped with the knowledge or the time to get to know their individual local farmers, and sometimes organic produce can travel a great distance between production and distribution. Thus, third party agencies and government organizations have stepped in to create labels that certify products as organic in accordance with various private and public standards.
This does result in a disconnect, and require a sense of trust in these agencies.

Concerned consumers are therefore advised to research the standards set down by the certifying groups, and to do a little online research into how they go about making their decisions. Again, for example, the US certifies any product with at least 95% organic ‘ingredients' as organic. This may mean that the end product itself was not prepared in accordance with organic procedures, or is packaged in an inorganic container. A little research can help allay or confirm suspicions and concerns such as these, so the educated consumer becomes the happy consumer.

Why Buy Organic?

There are as many reasons for buying organic as there are products to buy. One of the most cited reasons is improved taste and food quality over industrially farmed food. Blind taste tests comparing conventionally and organically farmed apples indicated organic apples were usually sweeter and firmer than their competition. Proponents claim the lack of additives allows the natural, complex flavors of the food to come out and really captivate the consumer.

Another incentive is for personal health. Organic food is farmed with extensive restrictions on the use of pesticides, either in a complete ban or with specific, very strict criteria for their use. Thus, the USDA has released studies indicating that nearly thirty percent of organic foods contain no discernible pesticide residues, and the remainder have them in very small quantities. This is in comparison to conventionally produced foods, which can have as much as two thirds more pesticide residue than organically produced equivalents. Not every pesticide causes demonstrable harm to consumers. However, the point is that people can make better decisions for their health and their lifestyle when they know what is and what isn't going into their bodies.

The lack of pesticides also creates an environmental benefit important to many organically minded consumers. Pesticides can and do run into the local ecosystem surrounding any farming endeavor, and can cause havoc that may take generations to uncover and even longer to repair. Organic farming offers less impact on the ecology of the community and allows for a sense of civic responsibility and pride in participants.

A Little More Money

That said, organic farming does come with a hefty price tag. Since the same amount of land is producing less than conventionally farmed land, organic produce and goods can cost as much as 40% more than the alternative. A half-gallon of organic milk can cost as much as a full gallon of conventionally produced milk, which affects consumers' bottom line. Fortunately, there are ways to reduce this cost, again with a little bit of research.

For example, consider organic strawberries. These of course cost more than conventional strawberries, due to the strict and exacting standards required for their production. However, even the price of organic strawberries will go down during strawberry season, since the market will be flooded with the product, both organic and conventional. So, with a bit of research consumers can find out what seasons are best for each product they're interested in and buy in accordance with these cycles. Additionally, many organic companies offer special coupons and sales, just as do traditional supermarkets. A few minutes searching the web may yield a nice two-for-one sale on organic corn just in time for a big family dinner.

As with any passion, the key to truly getting the best use out of organic products comes from information, consideration, and action.

Cardiovascular Disease Becomes Number One Killer of Women in U.S.

Fri, 09 Oct 2009 08:49:33 -0700

Cardiovascular disease is the number one cause of death of American women, and the leading cause of diabetes-related death. More than 27 percent of deaths among American women are caused by cardiovascular disease, with cancer coming in as a runner up at 22 percent.

To combat this scourge, the American Heart Association recommends eating a heart-healthy diet rich in vegetables, fruits, whole grains, high-fiber foods, lean meats and poultry and fish at least twice a week in order to lower your risk.

Unfortunately, the amount of fast food, processed food and genetically modified food consumed by Americans makes this a difficult task.

"Processed and fast foods have very little to no fiber, and the amount of omega-3 in a fast food fish sandwich is negligible," said women's health expert Dr. Sherrill Sellman. "One of the newest dietary aids in the fight for healthy hearts is an ancient grain called Salba, which is similar to flax seed. It contains 8 times more omega-3s than Atlantic salmon. Rich in antioxidants, magnesium, fiber, iron, vitamin C, calcium and folate, it seems to be the perfect vegetarian source of what women need in order to stay heart healthy."

Salba has been clinically proven to improve cardiovascular risk factors, according to a study published in Diabetes Care, the official peer-reviewed journal of the American Diabetes Association. Core Naturals (www.salba.com), the manufacturer and distributor of all Salba products, refers to it as the perfect "functional food."

"There are many reasons why I consider Salba a super nutritional star for women's hormonal health," Sellman said. "It has the highest known whole-food source of omega-3 fatty acids found anywhere in nature. It contains a perfect 4:1 ratio of omega-3s to omega-6s. That ideal ratio is required for optimal health and hormones: regulating heart rate, blood pressure, blood clotting, fertility, immune support, and reduction of inflam¬mation. Inflammation is now understood to play a major role in chronic illnesses, including diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and cancer."

There are other supplements on the market that contribute folate, calcium, fiber and omega-3s, but none are as nutrient-dense as Salba, Sellman adds. Fish oil has been touted as an excellent source of DHA omega-3s. The body uses omega-3s in its DHA form, but Salba, a vegetarian source packs more omega-3s in its ALA form. ALA converts to EPA, then to DHA, which the body can then use.

"To put this into perspective, a 1 tablespoon serving of Salba Seed Oil contains 8,373 mg of ALA, which converts to roughly 1,250 mg of DHA. Fish oil supplements generally contain between 200-500 mg of DHA per serving," adds Sellman.

Based on analysis of the Core Naturals product line, Salba contains:
• 8 times more omega-3s than salmon
• 25% more dietary fiber than flax seed
• 30% more antioxidants than blueberries
• 15 times more magnesium than broccoli
• 6 times more calcium than whole milk
• 3 times more iron than spinach
• 50% more folate content than asparagus

"With cardiovascular disease on the rise and women's health at risk, this ancient super food has been resurrected at just the right time," Sellman said. "Salba is a formative addition to your diet; it has very little to no taste and is more adaptable to recipes than flax, which has to be ground fresh in order to be absorbed. I don't see anything else available to consumers that comes close to these results."