Dr. Ann

September 23, 2019 • Heart Health

Women Take Heart

Heart attacks remain the leading killer of women – killing more women than the next 5 causes of death combined.  Additionally, heart attacks tend to be more deadly in women vs. men.  So it was especially good news and incredibly empowering that a provocative study in the Archives of Internal Medicine (October 2007) reported that women could […]

As dairy foods go – low-fat, plain yogurt is a superstar standout.  I want you to include it in your diet regularly. Here are 3 big reasons why you should: Yogurt is the richest and most bio-available source of calcium of any food.  An 8oz serving provides 30-40 percent of your daily calcium requirements. In […]

Whether you are trying to lose a few pounds or keep the scale steady – here are some super-easy steps for priming your fat-burning machinery and revving up metabolism. Steer clear of the “Great White Hazards.” (white flour products, white rice, white potatoes, and sugar)  These foods lead to rapid surges in blood glucose and […]

The advice to eat “an apple a day” got a huge boost thanks to a study whose healthy results even shocked the lead investigator.  For this study, 160 middle age to older women were randomly assigned to eat either 75 grams of dried apples a day or 75 grams of prunes a day for a […]

In a review of 11 published studies including 247,510 adults, researchers concluded that consuming potassium rich foods was associated with significant stroke prevention.  People who consumed 1.64 grams or more of potassium a day (equivalent to 5 servings of fruits and veggies) were 21 percent less likely to have a stroke than those getting the […]

Evidence is rapidly mounting that junk foods may be truly addicting.  Both in animal and human studies, it seems that ultra palatable foods, especially those high in both fat and sugar (think donuts, milk shakes, cheesecake) can highjack our normal appetite regulatory mechanisms, throwing us into a perpetual cycle of desire and binging. A laboratory study […]

Past studies have repeatedly identified snacking as a risk factor for weight gain. As such, it was disheartening to learn that Americans are snacking at an all-time high. Based on this evaluation, snacking accounts for a whopping 25% of our daily calories or an average of 580 calories a day! Even more alarming, half of […]

In a head-to-head clinical trial that really grabbed my attention, a plant-based diet trounced its competitor for both superior weight loss and enhanced metabolic function. For this study scientists placed 74 diabetic subjects on one of two calorie-restricted diets for a period of six months.  One diet was plant-based consisting of fruits, vegetables, legumes, grains, […]

I wanted to share a recipe that my daughter and I threw together as a protein-packed side dish for dinner.  I served it with some Wild Alaskan Salmon and fresh green beans, but it works great alone as a light supper or lunch as well. Edamame & Veggie Extravaganza Serves 6 This is a wonderful recipe to take advantage of […]

Tomatoes are the most widely consumed non-starchy “veggie” (really a fruit) in America and this is a wonderful thing!  Tomatoes offer a treasure chest of nutrients for boosting your health, but their crown jewel is a super potent antioxidant called lycopene.  Scientists speculate that tomatoes’ rich supply of lycopene is the key factor in the […]

Mushrooms are great for you! They’re super low in calories (20 calories per ½ cup), but high in key nutrients, including B vitamins, copper, potassium, and selenium – it’s wise to get into the health habit of including them regularly in your diet. A little known fact is that mushrooms are also filled with powerful […]

Get into the habit of kicking up the flavor and health of your bean, poultry and rice dishes with turmeric and curry. Both are teeming with the golden yellow pigment, curcumin now world-famous for its anti-inflammatory power.  Inflammation plays a fundamental role in the genesis of many chronic diseases including cardiovascular disease, obesity, cancer and […]