Lifestyle is a way of life or style of living that reflects the attitudes and values of a person.
Archives for July 2014
Back to Butter: A healthy traditional diet
I found this surprising story dating back to the 1930’s!
It’s about a dentist who traveled to isolated areas of the world to study dental health of people not influenced by western civilization. What he found was healthy, straight, decay free teeth. Why is this surprising? Because their traditional diet consisted of cholesterol rich foods like butter, whole milk, eggs, shellfish, organ meats and animal fats. In comparison civilized people tend to eat low-fat foods, refined sugar, vegetable oils and processed foods. All foods which can result in nutritional deficiencies.
This study was done by Weston A. Price, DDS who uncovered that people consuming a more traditional diet, rich in essential nutrients have healthier teeth. Further he discovered that fat-soluble vitamins A, D and K are vital for a healthy body and key for mineral absorption.
A Healthy Traditional Diet
Eat this: fish, shellfish, eggs, whole milk products, meat, lacto-fermented vegetables, seeds, nuts and grains.
Not that: refined sugar, white flour, high fructose corn syrup, hydrogenated vegetable oils, homogenized skim or low-fat milk, canned foods, additives, artificial coloring and synthetic vitamins.
Learn more about Weston A. Price, DDS on his foundation site about Wise Traditions in Food, Farming and the Healing Arts.
Did you catch my post last week? Here’s the link: Nutrition A-Z: Quick guide to vitamins and minerals.
Which would you eat: real butter or margarine? I’d love to hear from you!
Stay in Touch!
See my pins including recipes on Pinterest and “like” Lou Ann Donovan Live Young Now on Facebook for more healthy living young tips!
Cheers to a Healthy Life!
Photo credit: Photodune
Nutrition A-Z: Quick guide to vitamins and minerals
Vitamins and minerals are essential to support the health of your organs, bones and immune system. Replenish minerals daily since the body doesn’t naturally create them.
Diet is the best source to get your daily supply of vitamins and minerals. Through storage, processing and cooking the nutrient content of foods may be reduced. Opting to add a supplement to your diet might be necessary to reach your daily requirement of nutrients. Always check with your health care provider before starting a new supplement.
Quick Guide to Vitamins and Minerals
- Calcium – essential for building bones and healthy teeth. May reduce the risk of osteoporosis.
- Chromium – required for the release of energy from glucose and utilization.
- Copper – collagen formation, utilization of iron and production of cellular energy.
- Folic Acid – may reduce the risk of having a child with a brain or spinal cord defect.
- Iron – essential to building blood, transporting oxygen, energy utilization and muscle function.
- Magnesium – required for nerve, skeletal muscle, heart and cell function plus helps build bones and maintain teeth.
- Niacin – provides dietary support for healthy blood lipid profile. Also known as vitamin B3.
- Pantothenic Acid – essential for metabolic processes in the body. Also referred to as vitamin B5.
- Phosphorus – involved in the absorption of glucose and functions in tooth and bone formation.
- Potassium – necessary for normal muscle cell contraction and acid base balance.
- Selenium – protects against free radicals and supports antioxidant activity of vitamin E.
- Vitamin A – fat-soluble vitamin that is essential for normal vision, eye and skin health. Also known as beta-carotene.
- Vitamin B1 – water-soluble vitamin that plays a role in energy metabolism.
- Vitamin B2 – essential to energy production and works with several enzymes in the metabolism of fat, carbohydrates and proteins.
- Vitamin B3 – see Niacin.
- Vitamin B5 – see Pantothenic Acid.
- Vitamin B6 – along with vitamin B6, B12 and Folic Acid all provide dietary support for your cardiovascular system.
- Vitamin B12 – may play a role in the maintenance of normal homocysteine levels, a non-protein amino acid.
- Vitamin C – essential for healthy bones, teeth, blood vessels and collagen. Helps protect against free radical damage and is necessary for iron absorption. Also known as ascorbic acid.
- Vitamin D – necessary for healthy teeth and bones plus enhances calcium absorption.
- Vitamin E – provides support for healthy heart, lung, prostate and digestive tract function.
- Vitamin K – necessary for blood clotting.
- Zinc – essential mineral involved in the majority metabolic processes in the body. Specifically carbohydrate metabolism, glucose utilization and insulin production.
Here’s a quick refresher about the difference between fat-soluble and water soluble vitamins:
Fat-soluble are absorbed through the intestinal tract with the help of lipids (fats) and includes vitamin A, E, D and K.
Water-soluble dissolve easily in water, readily excreted from the body and includes 8 B vitamins and vitamin C.
Food Sources for Vitamins and Minerals from one of my favorite sites – WebMD.com
As a kid we were told to clean our plate and take our daily vitamin. Well this still holds true for me today. My plate size has gotten smaller so I don’t eat too much and now include minerals and antioxidants with my vitamins.
How about you – do you take a daily vitamin, mineral and antioxidant supplement? I’d love to hear from you!
Cheers to a Healthy Life!
Photo credit: Photodune
Hydrate or face the consequences
Should we really stick to the rule of “drink 8 glasses of water a day?”
The body is made up of 60-75% water. So how much or little you drink can seriously affect your health.
- Too much water consumption can cause an imbalance of minerals in your body.
- Too little water can cause headaches, dehydration, or fatigue.
