Do As the Romans Do

Eating the Mediterranean way can help reduce your risk of stomach cancer, a large study from Europe shows. The traditional diets of Greece, Italy and other Mediterranean countries have many health benefits including protection against cancer and heart disease.  Gastric (stomach) cancer is the second-leading cause of cancer death worldwide.

Study participants were given a score on an 18-point scale based on how closely their diet adhered to the Mediterranean ideal of being rich in fruit, vegetables, legumes, fish, cereals and olive oil, with a relatively low intake of red meat and dairy products.

People with the highest relative Mediterranean diet scores were 33 percent less likely to develop stomach cancer than people whose eating patterns were furthest from the Mediterranean ideal.

Just 23 percent of people diagnosed with gastric cancer will survive for five years, the researchers note. "Therefore, identifying dietary recommendations that can help reduce incidence is important for the effective management of this cancer," they conclude.

There's a new recipe for Grilled Tofu with Mediterranean Chopped Salad on our website
http://forcesofnature.ca/HealthyRecipes.htm#Grilled_Tofu_with_Mediterranean_Chopped_Salad

In health,
Pamela

http://www.ForcesofNature.ca
http://www.NaturopathToronto.ca
http://naturopathicdetox.blogspot.com/
http://h1n1naturopath.blogspot.com/
http://naturopathtoronto.blogspot.com/
http://twitter.com/pfranknd

Copyright 2009 Forces of Nature

There are How Many Calories in That Take Out???

I was glancing through the North Toronto Post this week and found an interesting article on the nutritional value (dubious use of that term) in a variety of take out food.  What I found most surprising was that out of
all the foods including burgers, fish and chips, pizza etc.  what scored the absolute worst all around in my books was the Pad Thai.  One serving contained a whopping 1460 kcal, 55 grams of fat and 197.6 grams of
carbohydrate.  According to this analysis you're much better off to eat a Pastrami sandwich!  So as everyone starts off the New Year with a plan to lose weight and eat healthier, it might be best to analyze what exactly we are eating, especially if the source is take out food, preparing food yourself at home is infinitely better.  Go here to check out the article, http://www.postcity.com/Post-City-Magazines/January-2010/What-039s-Toronto-Really-Eating/.

There's a new recipe for Coconut Chicken Curry Stew on our website
http://forcesofnature.ca/HealthyRecipes.htm#Coconut_Chicken_Curry_Stew here.

Healthy New Year!

Pamela

http://www.ForcesofNature.ca
http://www.NaturopathToronto.ca
http://naturopathicdetox.blogspot.com/
http://h1n1naturopath.blogspot.com/
http://naturopathtoronto.blogspot.com/
Twitter: http://twitter.com/pfranknd

Copyright 2010 Forces of Nature

Work Stress, Insulin, Hormone Balance and Diabetes

White, middle-aged women reporting high levels of job strain and little work-related social support appear to be at increased risk for developing type 2 diabetes, according to a new study.

Among the women, about 10 percent of all type 2 diabetes cases could have been prevented had the job-related stressors of little control, high demands, and little social support been eliminated.

People need to recognize the importance stress plays in their overall physical health by looking at stress exposures as another unhealthy factor similar to obesity, low physical activity, and poor diet.

I would add that it's particularly important for women with any reproductive health issue to be cognisant of stress since stress obviously has a major influence on blood sugar and insulin levels which ultimately creates hormonal imbalances.

There's a new recipe for Chicken Cacciatore on our website
http://forcesofnature.ca/HealthyRecipes.htm#Chicken_Cacciatore

Happy New Year!

Pamela

http://www.ForcesofNature.ca
http://www.NaturopathToronto.ca
http://naturopathicdetox.blogspot.com
http://h1n1naturopath.blogspot.com/
http://naturopathtoronto.blogspot.com/
Twitter: http://twitter.com/pfranknd

Copyright 2009 Forces of Nature

Resolution Tips and a New Year's Wish

New Year's resolutions date back to ancient Rome and the mythical King Janus, from whose name January derives. Janus became a symbol for resolutions because he had two faces and could look simultaneously back on the past and look forward to the future.

Here are some pointers to help attain your fitness resolution goals:

• Set attainable goals and have realistic expectations. 
• Find just the right balance between too much exercise and too little, i.e. where you get the benefits of exercise without overdoing or burning yourself out.
• Make a resolution along with a friend or spouse. Research shows that having someone you're accountable to can almost triple your effectiveness.
• One study showed that motivation to be physically active was higher when sports - instead of just exercise - were involved.  
• Having a goal in mind also helps - eg. register for a 5 km run then train to achieve it.
• Get the resources you need whether it's a day planner, group classes, online fitness tracker or a personal trainer to keep you in line.
• Establish a routine that you enjoy and stick to it.
  

Here's a link to a beautiful New Year's Wish, enjoy!

There's a new recipe for Roasted Salmon with Potatoes, Peas and Parsnips on our website here.

Happy New Year!

Pamela

http://www.ForcesofNature.ca
http://www.NaturopathToronto.ca
http://naturopathicdetox.blogspot.com/
http://h1n1naturopath.blogspot.com
http://naturopathtoronto.blogspot.com/
Twitter: http://twitter.com/pfranknd

Copyright 2009 Forces of Nature