The days are getting shorter now, and many of us who go to work early and come home late will feel like we never see the light of day. And besides zapping our energy, lack of sunlight in the winter months can leave us lacking in essential vitamin D—which may add up to poor health and weak bones, in everyone from infants and children to the elderly. Read More
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The Anti-Aging Benefits of Vitamin B
October 3, 2008
Bananas aren’t just for making a bowl of bran cereal less boring. They are rich in vitamin B, something your body may need more of as you age, especially if you’re a woman.
Tufts University researchers found that women of childbearing age, particularly those taking oral contraceptives, are much more likely than men to have inadequate amounts of vitamin B6. The nutrient is necessary for estrogen metabolism, researchers say, and the Pill adds more estrogen to your body. Read More
Getting Your Vitamin Bs
September 17, 2008
On a quest to find “vitamin B?” You won’t have to search far for this essential nutrient; it’s hidden in everything from chocolate and yogurt, to mushrooms and beer.
The term “vitamin B” actually refers to a family of eight distinct vitamins: thiamine (B1), riboflavin (B2), niacin (B3), pantothenic acid (B5), pyridoxine (B6), biotin (B7), folate (B9), and cobalamin (B12). A balanced diet containing a variety of whole grains, fruits, and vegetables is usually sufficient to meet the average adult’s daily requirements for each vitamin. Keep in mind, however, that B12 is found naturally only in animal sources, including milk, yogurt, and egg yolks. If you are not a big meat or dairy fan, it is important to obtain B12 from a supplement or from fortified foods such as cereal and soy milk.
Want to make sure you are getting all your B’s? Give your diet a healthy boost with these vitamin B-rich foods and delicious recipes: Read More
Peeper Keepers Food: What I’m Eating to Keep My Vision Clear
Tips and tricks from our resident dietitian, Julie Upton, RD
July 2, 2008
I had an appointment with my ophthalmologist last week to have my annual exam and be fitted for new lenses. Unlike all my friends who have had LASIK surgery, I’m too nervous to go “under the laser”; I’ll take my annoying glasses and contacts, thank you.
Some of my friends are on their LASIK touch-ups or now have to wear glasses again as their vision has worsened over the years, and many have asked me if there is anything they can do with their diet to help maintain their vision. Read More
Eat Red, Live Longer
May 5, 2008
From Health magazine
Nutrition gurus say fruits and veggies with big, bold colors may help you stay young. Which ones are best? Go red and you won’t go wrong. Read More
10 Years Thinner: 6 Simple Guidelines for 6 Weeks of Dieting
March 20, 2008
For the next six weeks, you can create any meals you like as long as you follow these six simple guidelines. That’s all—there’s no need to count calories or fat grams.
1. Eat protein and fruit and/or vegetables at every meal
To supply all the amino acids you need to maximize muscle tone, have one of the following: 3 to 4 ounces of skinless poultry, lean beef (sirloin, tenderloin, or roast), or seafood (fresh, frozen, or canned, the latter packed in water; limit albacore tuna to 6 ounces per week because it contains more mercury than other types); or one egg or two to three egg whites. (After you’ve completed the six-week plan, include a variety of vegetarian protein sources in your diet for a broader spectrum of nutrients.) Also, have one serving per meal of any kind of fresh or frozen fruits, vegetables, and/or legumes. Read More
A New Sip for Healthy Joints
March 20, 2008
Stiff joints? You’ve probably heard about glucosamine’s ability to help ease this annoying symptom. But now you don’t have to swallow a huge pill to get a daily dose. A new beverage called Elations ($1.49, 8-ounces; www.elations.com) promises healthier joints with its formula of glucosamine, calcium, and vitamin C. And, there’s no medicinal taste either (though it is a little on the sweet side). If you have mild to moderate joint pain, Elations could be worth a try.
An Update on Echinacea: Effective Cold Remedy or Just a Waste of Money?
February 29, 2008
Echinacea has as many supporters as it does naysayers—and their voices become louder this time of year, when cold and flu season is in full swing. While some claim the herb is a godsend against sneezing and sniffling, others claim that standing on their heads would yield similar results. Read More
An Update on Echinacea: How to Use It Like a Pro During Sneezy Season
February 29, 2008
Echinacea is consistently among the top-selling supplements, with U.S. consumers typically spending more than $100 million on it every year. But a study published recently in The New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM) panned the herb, saying it doesn’t prevent colds or make symptoms less annoying. The lead researcher—Ronald B. Turner, MD, a pediatrics professor at the University of Virginia—thinks most of the evidence in favor of echinacea is far too weak to make it a reasonable remedy. Naturally, echinacea supporters disagree. And they recently panned Turner’s findings, saying the amount of echinacea used in his study was roughly three times less than what veteran herbalists recommend. Read More
An Update on Echinacea: Do’s and Don’ts From Herbalists
February 29, 2008
Instead of drugstore or supermarket brands, try products made by herbalist-run companies—Herb Pharm, Herbs, Etc., Herbalist & Alchemist, and Bioforce USA. They’re available at natural-products stores and on the Web for $10 to $40, depending on how much you buy.
At the first signs of a cold, go with extracts or tinctures (tea and capsules aren’t likely to be effective, most experts say). Take 1 to 2 teaspoons of the tincture every 2 to 4 hours round the clock for a day or two. Using it often is best. As a general rule, the stronger tinctures are thought to be more effective. (There is no danger of an overdose, but the tincture may make your mouth tingle temporarily. Also, if you’re allergic to ragweed, be aware that echinacea belongs to the same family of plants.)
For more help, consult a well-trained herbalist. The American Herbalists Guild, a nonprofit professional organization that requires rigorous peer review to become a professional member, can help you find one.
By Jessica Seaberg
Previous vitamins Stories
An Update on Echinacea: If It Doesn’t Help, How Do New Cold Medicines Stack Up?
02/29/2008 - Vitamins and SupplementsImmunity Boosters: Supplements and Foods the Experts Recommend For Cold-and-Flu Season
02/29/2008 - Vitamins and SupplementsBig-Name Beverage Companies Give You a New Way to “Pop” Your Vitamins
02/11/2008 - Vitamins and SupplementsThe Best Multivitamin for You
02/01/2008 - Vitamins and SupplementsYour Vitamin Cheat Sheet
02/01/2008 - Vitamins and SupplementsOne More Reason to Eat Your Greens
07/30/2007 - Nutrition Advice
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