Archive for December, 2008
December 31, 2008 at 9:25 pm
· Filed under mediterranean diet blog ·Tagged celiac disease, diet, digestion, gluten, mediterranean diet blog, nutrition, salad dressing
A small but growing portion of the population has been diagnosed as suffering from celiac disease, which is a digestive condition that damages the small intestine and interferes with absorption of nutrients from food.
People who have celiac disease cannot tolerate gluten, a protein that is found in wheat, rye, and barley. Gluten is used mainly in foods but may also be present in items such as medicines, vitamins, and lip balms.
For those suffering from this condition, life can become rather frustrating. Gluten, like soy, is an effective “filler” in food, so it can be difficult to find food choices that are gluten-free. And the symptoms and side-effects from continued gluten intake can be debilitating: abdominal pain, vomiting, weight loss and lack of energy (from the fact that the body is not absorbing nutrients).
Anyone seeking a gluten-free diet will find that the principles of the Mediterranean Diet will be helpful in adapting to a new lifestyle. The Mediterranean Diet excludes many of the foods that are rich in gluten, including pastas, cereals and breads. Salads rich in vegetables are a great addition to any gluten-free diet, with flavorful dressings that are also within recommended guidelines.
For more information, be sure to check out Ayhan’s Marketplace for more recipe ideas that will make you forget those high-carb, gluten-based foods!
Permalink
December 31, 2008 at 9:22 pm
· Filed under mediterranean diet blog ·Tagged breast cancer, health, HER2, Javier Menendez, mediterranean diet blog, nutrition, olive oil, phenols
Quoted from Newsmax.com:
Extra-virgin olive oil lowers the risk of developing breast cancer in those who carry a particular gene involved in about 20 to 30 percent of breast cancers.
“Our findings reveal for the first time that all the major complex phenols present in extra-virgin olive oil drastically suppress overexpression of the cancer gene HER2 in human breast cancer cells,” wrote study authors Javier Menéndez from the Catalan Institute of Oncology and Antonio Segura-Carretero from the University of Granada.
Similar articles found in the Daily Express and Cancer Research UK also elaborate on the possibility of developing a cancer fighting drug based on these findings.
Dr Joanna Owens, Cancer Research UK senior cancer information officer, said: “We already know that a Mediterranean-style diet can help to protect against cancer, which includes cutting down on saturated fats often found in chocolate, crisps and cakes in favour of the monounsaturated fats found in foods like olive oil.
Permalink
December 31, 2008 at 9:17 pm
· Filed under mediterranean diet blog ·Tagged dr. andrew siegel, mediterranean diet blog, sexual health
Sexuality is at the heart of the human experience, playing a role in our relationships and contributing to an overall sense of well-being.
Numerous health issues can contribute to problems with sexual function, including diminished blood flow–which is a side effect of aging, but is often made worse through poor lifestyle and diet choices.
The good news is that diet choices can also improve the state of your sexual health, particularly the principles found in the Mediterranean Diet. A recent study found that the Mediterranean Diet “enables men to keep under control the levels of hormones including testosterone that are necessary for a good sexual performance.”
The study, conducted by the Italian medical society Siams, also endorsed the Diet’s focus on foods that are high in healthy, good fats (such as omega-3 fatty acids) and low in the so-called bad fats.
Another good source of information is the book “Sexual Health and the Mediterranean Diet” by Dr. Andrew Siegel, MD. Dr. Siegel, author of “Finding Your Own Fountain of Youth,” finds that “[m]aintaining a Mediterranean dietary pattern has been correlated with lower incidences of cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes and sexual dysfunction.”
Permalink
December 31, 2008 at 9:14 pm
· Filed under mediterranean diet blog ·Tagged american heart association, blood sugar, diabetes, glycemic index, health, heart disease, mediterranean diet blog, nutrition, us news & world report
Yet another study emerged in yesterday’s U.S. News & World Report about the praises of a Mediterranean style diet on one’s health:
A new study found that a diet of “low-glycemic foods” — such as beans, nuts, peas, lentils and pasta — was superior to a high-cereal-fiber diet when it comes to lowering blood sugar and other risk factors for heart disease in people with diabetes.
“These findings fit with the general tenor of what’s gone before. The trouble is that those studies tended to be considerably smaller and for shorter periods of time, and they didn’t always show the effects significantly,” said study author Dr. David J.A. Jenkins, Canada research chair in nutrition and metabolism at the University of Toronto and St. Michael’s Hospital in Canada. “I think this certainly supports a recommendation to people that this is an extra tool in the tool kit.”
“This reemphasizes what we know — at the end of the day, the best diet is the Mediterranean-type diet: nuts, beans, lentils, fruits, vegetables,” said Dr. Suzanne Steinbaum, director of Women and Heart Disease at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City, and a spokeswoman for the American Heart Association. “The study didn’t exactly call it a Mediterranean diet, but the components of it were Mediterranean.”
Permalink
December 31, 2008 at 9:13 pm
· Filed under mediterranean diet blog ·Tagged aging, anti-aging, ayhans, exercise, mediterranean diet blog, recipe, vitamin E
Our bodies inevitably change as we age. It’s estimated by some that two-thirds of people will see their physical and mental ability decline, with more pronounced effects after the age of 60.
Some individuals have a genetic makeup that will help them lead long lives, but virtually everyone can improve their quality of life with a positive outlook on life, regular exercise, and making healthy food choices such as those found in the Mediterranean Diet.
The Mediterranean Diet is well-regarded for promoting an overall healthy lifestyle, offering adherents high physical energy and reduced mental stress. Studies have also shown the Mediterranean Diet leads to a reduction in death rates. And it’s never too late to start! Doctors have found that elderly individuals can maximize their prospects for healthful aging by adopting the Mediterranean Diet.
Part of the secret is found in the benefits of Vitamin E, which can be easily worked into meals through salad dressings, marinades and oils.
At Ayhan’s Marketplace, you can find information on how to also integrate exercise into the Mediterranean lifestyle. Ayhan’s has partnered with pioneering fitness expert Liz Gillies, who has developed special “anti-aging” exercise programs for active people aged 45 to 65, and also for those over 65.
To get a sense of how your health measures up to your age, be sure to check out the Real Age Test. It’s the biological age of your body, based on factors of lifestyle choice and maintenance.
For more information on how to integrate the Mediterranean Diet into your everyday life, visit Ayhan’s Marketplace for great recipe ideas that will make it easy to get on the path to better health!
Permalink
December 31, 2008 at 9:12 pm
· Filed under mediterranean diet blog ·Tagged almonds, associated press, blood pressure, cholesterol, hazelnuts, health, mediterranean diet blog, nutrition, walnuts, Weight Loss
Permalink
December 31, 2008 at 9:06 pm
· Filed under mediterranean diet blog ·Tagged cholesterol, health, mediterranean diet blog, newsweek, nutrition, statins
A recent Newsweek article discussed the role of cholesterol-lowering statins, most specifically compelling was its mention of the Mediterranean Diet as a significant factor in fighting inflammation:
Here are other ways you can fight inflammation than by taking a statin: If you smoke, stop. If you are overweight, shed some pounds. Adopt a Mediterranean-style diet based on fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, and olive oil. Eat more fatty fish. Exercise almost every day. Get enough sleep. Reduce stress.
You can also read excerpts of the article on Ayhan’s Mediterranean website.
Permalink
Older Posts »
Ayhan’s Mediterranean Menu Plans™
