In Michael Greger M.D.'s blog post, The Benefits of Vinegar Beyond Weight Loss (as if that isn't enough) has really opened my eyes to how just regular daily amounts of vinegar can make a huge difference in health!
Read for yourself!
Tuesday, January 15, 2019
Tuesday, January 1, 2019
Friday, April 20, 2018
Is It Possible to Eat Too Much Fruit?
I read this article by Dr. Michael Greger that answers a question many ask. For more articles by Dr. Greger go to NutritionFacts.org.
What About Fruit for Type 2 Diabetics?
Most dietary recommendations for type 2 diabetics suggest eating fiber-rich foods including fruit. That’s because fruit is healthy and has been shown to improve artery function and reduce cancer risk. However, some health professionals restrict the amount of fruit they recommend because they’re worried about the sugar content of fruit. But what does the research say?
In one study, type 2 diabetics were put into two groups. One group was told to eat a minimum of two pieces of fruit a day, and the other was told to eat no more than two pieces of fruit a day. There were no positive effects or weight changes in the group that had reduced their fruit intake. (Editor’s Note: There were also no positive effects on HbA1c or waist circumference in the reduced-fruit group.)
Therefore, the intake of fruit should not be restricted in patients with type 2 diabetes.
Fruit in Any Amount
New, emerging literature has shown that low-dose fructose from whole, natural foods may actually benefit blood sugar control. So having a piece of fruit with each meal could lower, not raise the blood sugar response.
But what about fructose toxicity? The threshold for toxicity of fructose may be around 50 grams. The problem is, that that’s how much fructose the average adult consumes in one day. That means that half of all adults are likely above the threshold for fructose toxicity, and adolescents currently average 75 grams.
Is that the limit for added sugars or for all fructose? If we don’t want more than 50 grams and there’s about ten grams in a piece of fruit, should we limit our fruit consumption to five pieces a day?
According to the Harvard Health Letter: “The nutritional problems of fructose and sugar come when they are added to foods. Fruit, on the other hand, is beneficial in almost any amount.”
What do they mean almost? Can we eat ten fruits a day? How about twenty? We don’t have to guess. It’s actually been put to the test.
In one study, seventeen people were made to eat 20 servings a day of fruit. Despite the extraordinarily high fructose content of this diet (about 200 grams per day, or the amount in 8 cans of soda), the investigators reported no adverse effects (and possible benefit actually) for body weight, blood pressure, insulin, and lipid levels after three to six months.
More recently, Jenkins and colleagues put people on a 20 servings of fruit a day diet for a few weeks with no adverse effects on weight, blood pressure, or triglycerides and an astounding 38 point drop in LDL cholesterol. There was one side effect, though. Their bathroom habits became very regular.
So what’s the bottom line? Fresh fruit promotes good health and is an excellent source of calories. So when it comes to nature’s candy, feel free to enjoy it in abundance.
Dr. Greger’s Sources:
R Törrönen, M Kolehmainen, E Sarkkinen, K Poutanen, H Mykkänen, L Niskanen. Berries reduce postprandial insulin responses to wheat and rye breads in healthy women. J Nutr. 2013 Apr;143(4):430-6.
A S Christensen, L Viggers, K Hasselström, S Gregersen. Effect of fruit restriction on glycemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes–a randomized trial. Nutr J. 2013 Mar 5;12:29. Top 5 ways to reduce crippling hand pain. Harv Health Lett. 2013;38(9):4.
B C Blacker, S M Snyder, D L Eggett, T L Parker. Consumption of blueberries with a high-carbohydrate, low-fat breakfast decreases postprandial serum markers of oxidation. Br J Nutr. 2013 May;109(9):1670-7.
J L Sievenpiper, L Chiavaroli, R J de Souza, A Mirrahimi, A I Cozma, V Ha, D D Wang, M E Yu, A J Carleton, J Beyene, M Di Buono, A L Jenkins, L A Leiter, T M Wolever, C W Kendall, D J Jenkins. ‘Catalytic’ doses of fructose may benefit glycaemic control without harming cardiometabolic risk factors: a small meta-analysis of randomised controlled feeding trials. Br J Nutr. 2012 Aug;108(3):418-23.
D S Ludwig. Examining the health effects of fructose. JAMA. 2013 Jul 3;310(1):33-4. R H Lustig. Fructose: it’s “alcohol without the buzz”. Adv Nutr. 2013 Mar 1;4(2):226-35.
B J Meyer, E J de Bruin, D G Du Plessis, M van der Merwe, A C Meyer. Some biochemical effects of a mainly fruit diet in man. S Afr Med J. 1971 Mar 6;45(10):253-61.
D J Jenkins, C W Kendall, D G Popovich, E Vidgen, C C Mehling, V Vuksan, T P Ransom, A V Rao, R Rosenberg-Zand, N Tariq, P Corey, P J Jones, M Raeini, J A Story, E J Furumoto, D R Illingworth, A S Pappu, P W Connelly. Effect of a very-high-fiber vegetable, fruit, and nut diet on serum lipids and colonic function. Metabolism. 2001 Apr;50(4):494-503.
What About Fruit for Type 2 Diabetics?
Most dietary recommendations for type 2 diabetics suggest eating fiber-rich foods including fruit. That’s because fruit is healthy and has been shown to improve artery function and reduce cancer risk. However, some health professionals restrict the amount of fruit they recommend because they’re worried about the sugar content of fruit. But what does the research say?
In one study, type 2 diabetics were put into two groups. One group was told to eat a minimum of two pieces of fruit a day, and the other was told to eat no more than two pieces of fruit a day. There were no positive effects or weight changes in the group that had reduced their fruit intake. (Editor’s Note: There were also no positive effects on HbA1c or waist circumference in the reduced-fruit group.)
Therefore, the intake of fruit should not be restricted in patients with type 2 diabetes.
Fruit in Any Amount
New, emerging literature has shown that low-dose fructose from whole, natural foods may actually benefit blood sugar control. So having a piece of fruit with each meal could lower, not raise the blood sugar response.
But what about fructose toxicity? The threshold for toxicity of fructose may be around 50 grams. The problem is, that that’s how much fructose the average adult consumes in one day. That means that half of all adults are likely above the threshold for fructose toxicity, and adolescents currently average 75 grams.
Is that the limit for added sugars or for all fructose? If we don’t want more than 50 grams and there’s about ten grams in a piece of fruit, should we limit our fruit consumption to five pieces a day?
According to the Harvard Health Letter: “The nutritional problems of fructose and sugar come when they are added to foods. Fruit, on the other hand, is beneficial in almost any amount.”
What do they mean almost? Can we eat ten fruits a day? How about twenty? We don’t have to guess. It’s actually been put to the test.
In one study, seventeen people were made to eat 20 servings a day of fruit. Despite the extraordinarily high fructose content of this diet (about 200 grams per day, or the amount in 8 cans of soda), the investigators reported no adverse effects (and possible benefit actually) for body weight, blood pressure, insulin, and lipid levels after three to six months.
More recently, Jenkins and colleagues put people on a 20 servings of fruit a day diet for a few weeks with no adverse effects on weight, blood pressure, or triglycerides and an astounding 38 point drop in LDL cholesterol. There was one side effect, though. Their bathroom habits became very regular.
So what’s the bottom line? Fresh fruit promotes good health and is an excellent source of calories. So when it comes to nature’s candy, feel free to enjoy it in abundance.
Dr. Greger’s Sources:
R Törrönen, M Kolehmainen, E Sarkkinen, K Poutanen, H Mykkänen, L Niskanen. Berries reduce postprandial insulin responses to wheat and rye breads in healthy women. J Nutr. 2013 Apr;143(4):430-6.
A S Christensen, L Viggers, K Hasselström, S Gregersen. Effect of fruit restriction on glycemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes–a randomized trial. Nutr J. 2013 Mar 5;12:29. Top 5 ways to reduce crippling hand pain. Harv Health Lett. 2013;38(9):4.
B C Blacker, S M Snyder, D L Eggett, T L Parker. Consumption of blueberries with a high-carbohydrate, low-fat breakfast decreases postprandial serum markers of oxidation. Br J Nutr. 2013 May;109(9):1670-7.
J L Sievenpiper, L Chiavaroli, R J de Souza, A Mirrahimi, A I Cozma, V Ha, D D Wang, M E Yu, A J Carleton, J Beyene, M Di Buono, A L Jenkins, L A Leiter, T M Wolever, C W Kendall, D J Jenkins. ‘Catalytic’ doses of fructose may benefit glycaemic control without harming cardiometabolic risk factors: a small meta-analysis of randomised controlled feeding trials. Br J Nutr. 2012 Aug;108(3):418-23.
D S Ludwig. Examining the health effects of fructose. JAMA. 2013 Jul 3;310(1):33-4. R H Lustig. Fructose: it’s “alcohol without the buzz”. Adv Nutr. 2013 Mar 1;4(2):226-35.
B J Meyer, E J de Bruin, D G Du Plessis, M van der Merwe, A C Meyer. Some biochemical effects of a mainly fruit diet in man. S Afr Med J. 1971 Mar 6;45(10):253-61.
D J Jenkins, C W Kendall, D G Popovich, E Vidgen, C C Mehling, V Vuksan, T P Ransom, A V Rao, R Rosenberg-Zand, N Tariq, P Corey, P J Jones, M Raeini, J A Story, E J Furumoto, D R Illingworth, A S Pappu, P W Connelly. Effect of a very-high-fiber vegetable, fruit, and nut diet on serum lipids and colonic function. Metabolism. 2001 Apr;50(4):494-503.
Tuesday, June 6, 2017
From 400 lbs to Ultra Marathoner
Read this inspiring story. It is NEVER too late to change for the better!
From 400 lbs to Ultra Marathoner
From 400 lbs to Ultra Marathoner
NFL Player Griff Whalen on the Perks of Being a Plant-Powered Athlete
Read Griff Whalen's story about nutrition and peak performance.
Monday, June 27, 2016
Wireless Wake Up Call - TEDx
I found this TEDx video after reading an article in my son's engineering magazine. I have long had questions about the effects of EMF on the human body but have been told that I worry too much. This research validates my concerns and those raised by many others far more educated than me. It also gives practical answers to the problem.
Jeromy Johnson is an expert in mitigating the negative impacts of Electromagnetic Field (EMF) exposure. He has a leading website on the topic and consults with individuals, families and organizations around the world to implement solutions that reduce and eliminate EMF pollution. Jeromy has an advanced degree in Civil Engineering and has worked in Silicon Valley for 15 years.
Visit his website at https://www.emfanalysis.com/
Jeromy Johnson is an expert in mitigating the negative impacts of Electromagnetic Field (EMF) exposure. He has a leading website on the topic and consults with individuals, families and organizations around the world to implement solutions that reduce and eliminate EMF pollution. Jeromy has an advanced degree in Civil Engineering and has worked in Silicon Valley for 15 years.
Visit his website at https://www.emfanalysis.com/
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