In Michigan, we grew up drinking milk, and I believe in the nutritional and health benefits of this nutrient dense beverage. It’s a great source of potassium, phosphorus, Vitamin A, and calcium, important for building peak bone mass and maintaining bone, plus it has been shown to reduce the risk of osteoporosis, hypertension, colon cancer, kidney stones, tooth decay, and may lessen the chances of dying from CHD or stroke. Plus chocolate (or white) milk is a terrific recovery drink following an intense bout of exercise. And there is no scientific evidence that dairy foods such as milk contribute to weight gain, if you are concerned about calories, go skim. So for all of you that are not lactose intolerant, forget the soda, energy drinks, and coffee and GET MILK.
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/07/090722083720.htm
Take a look at this compelling evidence that suggests the relaxation response, used in meditation and yoga, elicits changes in gene expression and how they respond to stress both short and long- term.
Specifically the study demonstrates that the relaxation response changed the expression of genes involved with inflammation, programmed cell death and the handling of free radicals, which are normal byproducts of metabolism that the body neutralizes in order to stop damage to cells and tissues. So relax and read on…
Blueberries are packed with antioxidant phytonutients that neutralize free radical damage and have been shown to provide protective effects for heart disease, macular degeneration, age-related conditions of Alzheimer’s disease and dementia, colon and ovarian cancer, urinary tract infections, and promote gastrointestinal health and night-time visual acuity. When analyzed with 60 fruits and vegetables, by researchers at Tufts University, blueberries won the gold medal for their capacity to destroy free radicals. These nutritional heavy weights are also full of flavor and low in calories.
There is nothing better then fresh northern Michigan blueberries, so we have been baking up blueberry buckle, blueberry pancakes, and eating them by the handful for snacks. HHMMMM good! You can learn more about the health benefits of blueberries by reading this article: http://whfoods.org/genpage.php?dbid=8&tname=foodspice
Yes, I'm talking to you.
The current buzzwords in health care today are "evidence-based medicine" (is there proof that something works?) and "comparative effectiveness" (if there's more than one way to do something, what works best?). There is overwhelming data to support that exercise is evidence-based and often times as effective as more invasive, clinically complex, and expensive measures of treatment (Physical Activity and Health, A Report of the Surgeon General, http://www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/sgr/sgr.htm).
How can something so clearly defined, consistently documented, simple to understand, cost-effective to presecibe and participate in, be so difficult to enact and implement in the general population? We are failing in our attempts to create a more physically active and healthy society. It’s time to get on board, to spread the word, preach the gospel, walk the talk, inspire the world, however, you choose to do it – to get others off the couch and out the door to a more physically active lifestyle. For some helpful insight and useful information check out the American College of Sports Medicine, Exercise is Medicine campaign http://www.exerciseismedicine.org.
Make it a responsibility and pass it on!
