The Encore Fitness Blog Resources and information from top Las Vegas personal trainers, fitness and dietary experts. Carol Strom.

May 28, 2012

Healthiest foods for men

 

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, heart disease and cancer are the two leading causes of death for men. While factors like smoking and drinking contribute to these diseases, improper nutrition can lead to poor health in men. Protect yourself from serious illnesses by incorporating some of the healthiest foods for men in your daily diet.

 

Vegetables and Fruits

Green vegetables such as cabbage, broccoli, kale, cabbage and Brussels sprouts contain indoles, sulforaphane and isotheicyanates, constituents that encourage certain genes in the liver to break down carcinogens caused by overcooked foods. The white and green vegetable group includes asparagus, chives, shallots, onions and garlic that contain allyl sulfides, constituents that stimulate antioxidant reactions in cells.
Orange fruits and vegetables including sweet potatoes, apricots, carrots, pumpkins, mangoes and cantaloupes contain beta-carotene which converts to vitamin A in the body, a nutrient that’s important for healthy vision. The red group, such as watermelon, tomatoes and pink grapefruits contain lycopene, a nutrient associated with a decreased risk of aggressive prostate cancer.
The purple and red group, including plums, pomegranates, grapes and assorted berries, contains anthocyanins, which contain properties that may prevent cancer, discourage inflammation and promote heart health. The yellow and green group, including green peas, collard greens, spinach, avocado, honeydew melon and yellow corn, contain zeaxanthin and lutein, which are beneficial for eye health.

 

Fish

Fatty fish such as salmon, mackerel, sardines, herring, rainbow trout and white albacore tuna are high in omega-3 fatty acids, nutrients that may reduce the risks of prostate cancer, strokes, heart attacks and advanced age mental health decline, according to Harvard Medical School. Eating fish frequently may also help prevent dangerous heart rhythms that lead to sudden cardiac death.

Oatmeal

Oatmeal contains both soluble and insoluble fiber. Insoluble fiber is important for digestive health, while soluble fiber finds and removes cholesterol before it can block arteries.

Almonds

Almonds are rich in vitamin E, protein, iron, calcium and fiber, and contain antioxidant flavonoids, which may prevent LDL or bad cholesterol from oxidizing and promoting cancer within cells.

Beans

Like almonds and oatmeal, beans are high in fiber and may help reduce LDL cholesterol. Beans also contain the nutrients magnesium, potassium and folate.

Pumpkin Seeds

Like fish, pumpkin seeds contain omega-3 fatty acids that may help promote prostate health. Pumpkin seeds also contain zinc, a mineral that may help to promote prostate health.

 –

source: LIVESTRONG

April 8, 2011

“Vegetarian” Diets Reduce Heart Risks

Eating a meat-free diet may lower your risk of developing heart disease, suggests a new study, helping to lessen the likelihood of metabolic syndrome.

Metabolic syndrome is a collection of diseases that contribute to cardiovascular disease, including diabetes, obesity, and high blood pressure.

Researches found vegetarians had better blood sugar, blood fat, blood pressure, waist size, and body mass measurements than non-vegetarians.

In the study, 23 out of every 100 vegetarians were found to have at least three metabolic syndrome factors, compared with 39 out of every 100 non-vegetarians and 37 out of every 100 semi-vegetarians.

For the study, published in the journal Diabetes Care, scientists analyzed the diet of three different groups of people: vegetarians, non-vegetarians, and semi-vegetarians; in total, more than 700 adults.

The researchers used a questionnaire to obtain information on participants’ eating habits. People were classified as vegetarian, eating meat less than once a month; semi-vegetarian, eating meat less than once a week; and non-vegetarians. However, the term “vegetarian” is incorrectly defined; true vegetarians never eat meat.

Results showed vegetarians had an average body mass index (BMI) of 25.7. Unlike non-vegetarians who had an average BMI close to 30. Semi-vegetarians’ BMI fell between the vegetarians and non-vegetarians.

A BMI between 25 and 29 is considered overweight and a BMI from 30 and up is obese. Normal weight is between 18.5 and 25.

The findings remained steady when researchers combined all the readings to determine the risk of metabolic syndrome.

In 2008, Vegetarian Times reported that 7.3 million Americans follow a vegetarian diet: 59% are female, 41% are male. As of 2009, the total U.S. population was nearly 308 million.

According to the American Heart Association, a vegetarian diet – with its heavy vegetable consumption and low intake of saturated fat from animal products – has been shown to reduce the risk of heart disease, heart attack, obesity, high blood pressure, and some forms of cancer.


Article courtesy from diet-blog
Image courtesy from first reason blog

September 28, 2010

Managing Cholesterol with Exercise

High cholesterol,

known as hypercholesterolemia, is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease. In the United States, more than 105 million people (that’s almost 50% of adults over age 20) suffer from elevated cholesterol.

photo courtesy of fitnesscontrarian.com

Individuals who are sedentary, overweight or obese, consume a diet high in saturated fat, have a family history of high cholesterol and/or are middle-aged or older, are at particularly high risk of hypercholesterolemia and subsequent cardiovascular complications. The good news is that cholesterol levels can be improved with a little TLC, that is, Therapeutic Lifestyle Changes.

TLC consists of heart-healthy nutritional choices, weight reduction and increased physical activity. Being healthy is not just about body image. Rather it is the quality of life that you have now and that you want for your future. So remember you deserve a lot of TLC.

Powered by WordPress