Dr. Ann

In one of the most uplifting studies I have reviewed, researchers reported that as little as a few minutes of physical activity in the great outdoors provides a significant mental lift. In the evaluation, which included over 1,100 people of all ages and genders, scientists determined that just 5 minutes of “green exercise” (physical activity in […]

  One of the most common questions I get from consumers is “should I buy organic?” The answer ultimately rests with your pocket book, your feelings towards the environment, and your comfort with pesticide exposure.  Here are the “organic facts” based on the best science to guide you in making an informed decision. Choosing organic […]

A clinical trial from the University of Exeter reported that we can eat our way to more energy with the venerable beet.  The 8 young males in the study who consumed beet juice for 8 consecutive days prior to cycling on an exercise bike were able to cycle up to 16% longer than when they consumed […]

Indeed, I consider high quality dark chocolate (60% or greater cocoa content) an excellent desert choice and recommend it as a truly healthy way to satisfy one’s sweet tooth.  Dark chocolate continues to score one scientific triumph after another, including studies that show it can boost brain power, elevate mood and improve cardiovascular health. We […]

~ ~ ~ Like their nut cousins, sesame seeds are concentrated nuggets of nutritional excellence. They are exceptionally rich in a host of key minerals, and provide two very special and unique phytochemicals, sesamin and sesamolin. Both are super-potent antioxidants from the lignan family that have been shown to lower cholesterol, prevent high blood pressure, and boost the […]

Unfortunately the standard American diet (SAD for short) is woefully deficient in fiber – an undigestible form of plant-carbohydrate that we now know plays a huge role in broad spectrum disease protection including promoting gastrointestinal health, aiding in maintenance of a healthy body weight along with reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease, many cancers and […]

  Breakfast is a delicious time of day and a great opportunity to pack in nutrients that can boost brain health, increase energy and set your whole day off on the right track. One of my favorite morning meals is a breakfast bowl that includes: 1 Scoop Plain Greek Yogurt 1/4 Cup Plain Kefir 1/2 Melted […]

Inflammation is a key driver of most chronic diseases and the anti-inflammatory power in ginger is off-the-charts.The potent inflammation busters in ginger are called xanthines. These valuable agents are also work horses for boosting immunity and fighting viral infections. For optimal results, include ginger, powdered or fresh, in your diet regularly – daily is best. […]

Dark leafy greens are one of the healthiest foods (arguably THE healthiest food) on the planet and thanks to this study, their disease-busting credentials are bigger than ever. Based on a review of six studies including over 220,000 people, eating more leafy green vegetables can significantly reduce the risk of getting type 2 diabetes (British Medical […]

  Here are the superstar foods that are always available in my pantry: Almond butter  Organic quinoa  A variety of canned and dried beans  Canned red sockeye salmon  A variety of bagged teas   Steel cut oats or old fashioned oats  Cocoa powder  Brown rice  Honey or molasses  Organic vegetable broth  Food Should Taste Good multigrain tortilla chips   […]

Knowing that herbs and spices are teeming with potent antioxidant compounds, researchers from Penn State set out to determine if adding a blend of herbs and spices to a high fat meal could mitigate its adverse effects. For this study, they fed 6 overweight, but healthy men two separate test meals on two separate days. […]

Make sure you move.  As little as 20 minutes of aerobic activity, like a brisk walk, has been shown to improve mood and reduce stress for up to 12 full hours. Go for the right carbs – carbohydrate foods can boost one of our bodies’ feel good neurotransmitters, serotonin.  Steer clear of nutritionally defunct sugar and refined carb foods, […]