Dr. Ann

Getting overly hungry is the downfall of dieters everywhere. You know how it works: you think you’re behaving yourself by not eating, but you go too long between meals, and as a result, you grow so hungry that you feel as though your stomach has become a bottomless pit. While you know you should chop […]

Although you may not have recognized them as phytochemicals, many of you are likely familiar with some of the commonly known superstars such as lycopene in tomatoes, anthocyanins in berries, and sulforaphane in broccoli. I am certain that a brief profile of just these three amazing plant chemicals will motivate you to eat your fruits […]

In a study of over 39,000 US females followed over 12 years, those who engaged regularly in brisk walking were 37% less likely to have a stroke. (Stroke, April 2010)  Are you getting enough exercise? For more detailed guidance, check out 8 Steps to Lifelong Wellness & Vitality.

For dark chocolate lovers out there like me, I am delighted to share further evidence that dark chocolate is a food you can love that loves you back — a true dietary superstar!  After following about 20,000 adults for at least 10 years, European researchers reported those who included as little as a small square […]

A mammoth study involving 1.2 million Swedish men determined that the better the cardiovascular fitness level at age 18, the better the cognitive function throughout adulthood.  In this study, there was no relationship between muscle strength at age 18 and future intelligence scores. (Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences Online, December 2009  

Spring has sprung and so have those delectable asparagus spears.  Like other green vegetables, asparagus are chock full of nutrients, providing 20 different vitamins and minerals including a huge dose of folate, vitamin C, and vitamin A.  This terrific trio makes them particularly valuable for heart health, healthy pregnancy, and keeping the immune system in good […]

The old saying is true, breakfast really is the most important meal of the day! I  swear  by starting my day off right, with a healthy breakfast packed full of nutrients.  Here are 3 of my personal favorite meals/recipes! A bowl of steel cut oatmeal A veggie omelet scramble Breakfast smoothie Get Recipes!

Myth – Omega 3 fat levels in farm raised salmon are less than wild caught. About 70% of the fresh salmon consumed in this country is farm raised.  Although I consider farm raised (also know as “Atlantic” salmon”) to be an important source of valuable omega 3 fats (farmed generally a bit higher) and healthy […]

Needless to say, if you want to lose weight or maintain the healthy weight you already have, there are sound scientific reasons to avoid the wrong carbohydrates—those highly refined, quickly digested Great White Hazards. Aside from their white color, how can you tell which carbohydrates are quickly digested and which are slowly digested? Once again, […]

Dark chocolate and its cousin cocoa are teeming with potent antioxidant plant chemicals called flavanols that emerging science reveals protect the health of the cardiovascular system.  These antioxidant flavanols have favorable effects on the inner most lining cells (endothelium) of our arteries and have been found in numerous studies to: lower blood pressure,  decrease the […]

Extreme obesity is affecting record numbers of children including 7.3% of boys and 5.5% of girls.  Those hit hardest are teenage African American girls (11.9%) and Hispanic teenage boys (11.2%) (Journal of Pediatrics, March 2010).  As a parent, here are the most powerful steps you can take to protect your child from obesity.   Related:   […]

Most infants in the US are not getting adequate amounts of vitamin D.  Among those exclusively breast fed, only 5% to 13% met the guidelines for 400 IUs of vitamin D daily.  For those formula fed, only 20% to 37% did.  (Pediatrics, March 2010).  In children, low levels of vitamin D have been associated with […]