Dr. Ann

Substituting some of your animal-based proteins with vegetable-based proteins is a wise thing to do. By making this swap, you can enjoy your protein along with: A much smaller carbon footprint Phytochemicals Zero cholesterol Negligible to zero saturated fats Beneficial fiber A higher nutrient density Fewer calories The best plant-based sources of protein include: beans/legumes, nuts, […]

In as little as two weeks, a daily dose of a sugary beverage can increase the risk of cardiovascular disease in healthy young subjects. That was the riveting conclusion from a clinical trial that is the first to show a direct dose-response relationship between sugary beverage consumption and risk factors for cardiovascular disease. For this […]

A healthy HDL level (>50) is associated with less risk of heart attack, stroke, Alzheimer’s and colon cancer. Follow these simple strategies to raise your HDL (good) cholesterol level. (Mine is 93!) Lose weight, if overweight. Engage in at least 30 minutes of moderate aerobic activity (brisk walking) most days of the week. (Talk to […]

Like other shellfish, shrimp offers a delectable and highly nutritious alternative to meat proteins.  Shrimp is low in calories and saturated fats and brimming with nourishment including B vitamins, vitamin D and a very respectable dose of omega 3 fats.  They are rich in an array of important minerals including zinc, selenium, copper, iron and […]

Enjoying a generous handful of walnuts daily can improve the quality of your diet and boost your cardiometabolic health-without sabotaging your waistline. That was the encouraging conclusion from a clinical trial conducted to test the effects of a daily dose of walnuts on cardiometabolic health. For this study, researchers provided diet counseling to 112 adults […]

Eat 1 ounce (a generous handful) of any variety of nut each day. Enjoy up to 1/3 of an avocado daily. Include ½ cup or more of any variety of beans (canned best) daily. Choose a small piece (up to 1 ounce) of high quality dark chocolate as your daily treat of choice. Did you […]

Minimize consumption of saturated fats. Fatty cuts of beef, pork, and lamb, poultry skin, whole dairy products (milk, cream, full-fat cheeses, ice cream), palm and coconut oil. Saturated fat is the primary dietary culprit that elevates your LDL (bad) cholesterol. Follow these simple strategies to raise your HDL (good) cholesterol level.  Lose weight, if overweight. […]

If you enjoy eating strawberries, your heart and arteries should be thanking you. In a first-of-its-kind published study, investigators monitored how eating a large daily dose of strawberries affected the key blood lipid markers – total cholesterol, LDL (bad) cholesterol, and triglycerides. For this study, the researchers had 23 healthy volunteers consume 500 grams of […]

Following the resounding affirmation of the failure of low-fat diets to provide health benefits, investigators from the massive Women’s Health Initiative Study report that this boring style of eating is also ineffective for lowering cholesterol levels.  Women in the low-fat arm of this mammoth clinical trial did not experience any favorable changes in their blood lipid […]

Cinnamon, like many other spices, has emerged as a true wonder food in terms of almost medicinal-type power to protect our health. A small handful of studies have reported that cinnamon enhances both the metabolism of glucose and cholesterol and may thusly provide protection from type II diabetes and cardiovascular disease. A study published in the Journal […]

  If you are looking for a delicious and proven means to lower your bad cholesterol levels-eat more avocados! In a new clinical trial that compared three different diets (low-fat with no avocado, moderate fat with no avocado, and moderate fat with one avocado a day) those consuming the moderate fat avocado diet hands down […]

A healthy HDL level (>50) is associated with less risk of heart attack, stroke, Alzheimer’s and colon cancer. Follow these simple strategies to raise your HDL (good) cholesterol level. (Mine is 93!) Lose weight if overweight. Engage in at least 30 minutes of moderate aerobic activity (brisk walking) most days of the week. (Talk to […]