Dr. Ann

Want to optimize your muscle health? Be sure to include a robust dose of protein early in the day. In a new study that is getting lots of buzz and adds to the exciting new science of “chrono-nutrition” (how food timing impacts health and function in various organs of the body), scientists determined that when […]

Thanks to scientists from Harvard, we have even more evidence that eating brightly colored fruits and veggies does wonders for our brains. For this new study, scientists followed the diets and cognitive status of about 77,000 adults from about age 50 to age 70. This particular evaluation was undertaken to evaluate the relationship between flavonoid […]

Blood levels of omega 3 fats, the darlings of the healthy fats, appear to be a powerful predictor of death. In a new report from the on-going and esteemed Framingham Cohort Study, scientists found that having higher blood levels of omega 3 can boost life expectancy by almost five years!  To come to this conclusion, […]

Consuming ultra-processed foods appears to be a major risk factor for inflammatory bowel disease or “IBD.” In a new report adding to the growing pile of studies linking processed foods to major health risks, scientists uncovered a clear link between consuming this dubious fare and ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease, both of which have dramatically […]

December 7, 2021 •

Food & Pain

Ouch! Consuming the typical American diet, high in omega 6 fats and low in omega 3 fats significantly increases pain. That was the conclusion of a ground-breaking new study by a team of 15 scientists working collaboratively over a 5-year period. What’s more, making dietary changes to reduce omega 6 fats and increase omega 3 […]

This is really big! In an elegantly conducted clinical trial by one of the world’s most esteemed microbiome scientists we find that stepping up the intake of fermented foods is a quick and effective way to boost gut microbial diversity AND decrease damaging inflammation—even more so than stepping up your intake of fiber-rich plant foods! […]

December 7, 2021 •

More Mushrooms, Less Cancer

Make room for more mushrooms! That was the upshot of a large review study examining the relationship between eating mushrooms and cancer risk. The review included 17 previously published studies encompassing over 19,500 study subjects.  The results? In study subjects consuming the most mushrooms (around 18 grams a day or a small handful), cancer risk […]

In the largest and most accurate study of its type to date, scientists concluded that the more we move, the lower our chances of developing cardiovascular disease are—with no ceiling effect, meaning more is better.  For this study the physical activity level of over 90,000 UK adults was monitored using sophisticated accelerometers worn for a seven day period. The […]

December 7, 2021 •

Fiber and Less Depression

Dietary fiber has a glowing list of health accolades, and guarding against depression may be yet another to add to the list. In a study that involved more than 5,800 adult women, those who were premenopausal and consumed the most fiber were significantly less likely to develop depression.  The scientists believe a likely connection between fiber and depression lies in the microbiome, […]

December 7, 2021 •

Added Sugar Doubles Fat Production

Consuming added sugar has been consistently linked to a laundry list of health maladies. Thanks to an eye-opening new study, we have fresh, new insight on how added sugars do their dirty work.  For this study, scientists had 94 healthy young males consume a single daily drink sweetened with one of three types of sugar– […]

December 7, 2021 •

Java Joy

If you cherish your morning coffee like I do, I have some encouraging news on the heart health front. According to three prominent, large heart studies, drinking one or more cups of coffee a day may reduce your risk of heart failure. For this analysis, scientists looked at the heart health status and the coffee drinking […]

The good news for those adhering to a plant-based diet just keeps growing and growing… In a new study from scientists at the University of Edinburgh, it seems that eating the Mediterranean way may be a winning strategy for maintaining a sharp mind as we age.  For this study the scientists evaluated the thinking skills […]