Potato Salad & Cold Spaghetti: Could They Be Better Than Meds for Type 2 Diabetes?

New research shows that not all starches are the same – and some may actually work as well as medication in helping to increase how your cells respond to insulin. Here's what you need to know!

By Colette Bouchez

As we age, our risk for many diseases rises. While some of these risks may not come to fruition until we are well into our senior years, there is one that daily threatens the immediate health of nearly every woman over 40 – and many as young as age 20.

I'm talking about type 2 diabetes, a problem that right now the National Institutes of Health say affects nearly 12 million American women over the age of 20 and in the process increases our risk of heart disease, kidney disease and high blood pressure.

Even more important : As our national obesity crisis continues to rise, so too do our risks for this disease. The NIH reports that in 2007 nearly 57 million Americans had impaired blood glucose – including a problem known as “insulin resistance,” the precursor to type 2 diabetes.

The good news: For most of us, type 2 diabetes is not only treatable it's preventable - and often the first line defense is right on our dinner plate!

Indeed, doctors have long advised us that reducing our intake of simple carbs (white bread, cake, sugar) as well as starches like potatoes and white rice while increasing our intake of high fiber fruits and veggies – is one way to decrease our risk of type 2 diabetes.

But now however, a relatively new sub- group of foods is edging it's way onto center stage as a natural way to not only reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes, but also improve our health in myriad ways.

That new food sub-group is known as “resistant starches”. And according to research findings released this week at the Diabetes UK Annual Professional Conference, these foods might actually work better than some medicines in helping to increase the body's sensitivity to insulin, thereby reducing our risk of developing type2 diabetes.

"These improvements are actually bigger than you get with most blood glucose lowering drugs,” said lead researcher Denise Robertson, PhD, from the University of Surrey in Great Britain.

Moreover, Roberson reports that folks at high increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes, such as those with metabolic syndrome, are even “ more responsive to the insulin sensitizing effects of resistant starch than people with normal blood glucose levels,” she says.

Indeed, one of the reasons why type 2 diabetes occurs is because cells become “desensitized “ to insulin. How does this occur?

Whenever we eat, the sugar in our foods (and all food has some sugar) is released into our bloodstream. This sends a chemical message to our pancreas to produce insulin, the hormone that carries sugar from the bloodstream into cells where it's converted into energy to be used by muscle and tissue. The rise in insulin is the “biochemical knock” on the door that tells cells to open up and let the sugars in.

However, when we continually bombard our system with foods high in sugar (or foods quickly converted to sugars such as white bread or white rice ) our body is forced to step up insulin production considerably. When this goes on for a long enough period of time, there is so much insulin present in our body, that are cells become “desensitized” to it's presence.

No longer able to “hear” insulin's' knock at the door, they don't open up and let the sugars in.
The end result: The sugars remain in our blood stream – and type 2 diabetes occurs.

What Are Resistant Starches – And How Can They Help?

By definition resistant starches are foods that, while they contain starch, they escape digestion in the usual way. Instead of breaking down in the small intestine – where they release sugar immediately into the bloodstream – they pass directly to the large intestines . Here they not only provide some of the same health benefits of both soluble and insoluble fiber – including lowering blood sugar - but also carry some unique advantages of their own.

Foods high in "resistant starches" include cold cooked potatoes ( such as potato salad), cooked, then chilled pasta ( such as cold pasta salad) and cold rice ( such as the kind serve with sushi). Oddly enough, these same foods, when consumed hot, would be considered non-resistant starches.

Indeed, somewhere in the process involved in cooking then cooling these foods, the starches appear to change from “non-resistant” to “resistant” - and therein holds their “magic”.

In the new study, 10 overweight people who consumed 40 grams of resistant starch fiber daily increased their body's sensitivity to insulin by more than 50% - and the more overweight they were, they more they responded favorably to the “resistant starches.

But Robertson's findings are clearly not a fluke. Indeed, to date there over 200 relatively new studies citing the health benefits of “resistant starches”.

Among them, research recently published by Dr. Anne Nilsson and colleagues at Lund University in Sweden and the University of Copehagen, who reported that when a form of resistant starch was consumed in the evening meal it resulted in improved blood sugar levels the next day, as well as fewer signs of inflammatory chemicals body-wide.

In another recently published clinical trial by Dr. Joanne Slavin and colleagues at the University of Minnesota, research suggested that foods containing resistant starch had a greater impact on appetite than common high fiber foods such as bran – another indication that blood sugar was under good control.

Adding Resitant Starches To Your Diet

Certainly you can obtain resistant starches naturally, in the foods mentioned above: Cold potatoes, cold pasta and cold white rice.

In addition, however, there are also several forms of resistant starch derived from corn that are now successfully being added to some favorite “quick burning” high carb foods – such as breads, cakes, pasta, cereals, snacks and other baked goods. The corn-derived ingredient can also be added to some beverages, mashed potatoes, casseroles and other entrees, to make them healthier fares as well.

Moreover the additives are “invisible” - - meaning you won't see or taste a difference when they are added to foods . Plus, because they are generally 'gentler” on the body, you get the benefits of high fiber, without many of the “gassy “ side effects you can sometimes experience when you eat foods such as whole grains.

As interest in the use of resistant starches grows, you are likely to see this additive identified and highlighted on food labels and featured in advertising.

In the meantime, to find foods already on your grocer shelf that include some “resistant starch” supplementation, look to the ingredient label. While you won't find the word “ resistant starch” you should find the following terms “ 'added fiber', ( in foods that don't normally contain much fiber),; cornstarch, resistant cornstarch, maltodextin, modified food starch, or “ dextin”.

Colette Bouchez is the co-author of the new book “ The New Fertilty Diet Guide” - a revolutionary new way to use the foods you love to eat to enhance your fertility naturally.
You might also be interested in reading:
Is The Oprah Effect Good For Women' Health
New Food Proces Aids Diabetic by Removing Excess Sugar

Or visit RedDressDiary.com - Your Source for health & beauty for women!

Copyright by Colette Bouchez 2009 - All Rights Reserved.
In addition to US Copyright, the text of this RedDressDiary article is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 License. All formatting and style elements of this page are not available under this license, and Colette Bouchez retains all rights in those elements.

Studies: Smart Foods Drop Blood Pressure - Lower Cholesterol

If you're looking to improve your health -or just prevent disease – two new Smart Foods may be your answer!

By Colette Bouchez

If you suffer with either high blood pressure or high cholesterol the news this week will put a smile on your face: Two new studies show that adding a few simple foods to your diet may work as well as a leading medication in reducing some related health risks!

Continuing to pave the road to better health via “Smart Foods”, researchers have found that nutrients found in both cocoa powder and colorful fruits like raspberries and blueberries, appear to have the power to lower blood pressure and reduce cholesterol – and in some instances may work as well as some popular medications!

A Cup of Cocoa For Your Blood Pressure

In the first new study published in the journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry a group of Spanish researchers found that a single dose of a cocoa powder enriched with natural compounds known as flavonoids demonstrated the ability to cause an almost immediate and significant drop in blood pressure in hypertensive rats.

Indeed, the rats treated with a dose of cocoa powder equal to 300mg of polyphenols per kg of weight experienced a reduction of nearly 60mmHg on their systolic pressure ( the top number) within 4 hours – similar to the effect of a 50mg/kg dosage of the popular blood pressure drug Captopril.

“This is important because this drug is known to be a very effective anti hypertensive treatment in clinical practice “, wrote the researchers, led by Amaya Aleixandre from the Faculty of Medicine at the Universidad Complutense in Madrid.

Rats in the study also saw a drop in diastolic blood pressure ( bottom number) of around 50mmHg, and this drop required even less of the cocoa powder to achieve. The rats who had normal pressure experienced no decrease in pressure.

Now before you say “Oh yeah, well it's just rats”, it's important to note that at this time, the rat model for high blood pressure is the closest to the human model for hypertension – and that testing represents a fairly accurate representation of how humans might respond.

“Spontaneously hypertensive rats represent nowadays the best experimental model for essential hypertension in humans,” say the researchers.

As such, they are encouraged by the finding and believe that further study will show the results will translate to humans.

Moreover, this simple change in diet may be especially important for women over 40. This month the Harvard Women's Health Watch reports that the older a woman gets, the greater her chances of developing high blood pressure. In fact, hypertension now affects nearly half of women in their 60s, and 80% or more of those over age 75.

Smart Foods To The Rescue

What makes this study so particularly important is that in addition to proving the effects of the fortified cocoa, it also ruled out a common belief about the helpful effects of chocolate – namely that it's health effects are related to a natural chemical known as theobromine. Indeed, because theobromine normally causes a dose-dependent reaction, and in this study similar reactions were seen with varied doses of the cocoa, researchers say it's another factor making the difference.

“Different data of this study support therefore that the blood pressure lowering effect exhibited by [the cocoa] would be mainly due to the presence of procyanidins.” Procyanidin is a type of flavonoid that is naturally high in cocoa.

Perhaps not coincidentally, a cousin to this this compound and also a member of the flavonoid family – a natural chemical known as anthocyanin was the subject of a second new study published this week – and was found to reduce cholesterol.

According to research just published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition a group of Chinese scientists from Sun Yat-Sen University studied a group of 120 men and women between the ages of 40 and 65, all of whom had high cholesterol.

The participants were randomly chosen to receive either a twice daily dose of a berry supplement containing 160 mg anthocyanin twice daily, or a placebo. The result: After 12 weeks those taking the berry supplement saw a nearly 14 percent increase in HDL ( the “good” cholesterol ) compared to a 2.8 percent increase in the placebo group.

Moreover, those taking the berry supplements also saw a similar decrease of 13.6 percent in LDL ( the “bad” cholesterol), while the placebo group had a decrease of just 0.6 percent.

“Anthocyanin supplementation in humans improves LDL- and HDL-cholesterol concentrations and enhances the cellular cholesterol efflux to serum,” wrote the researchers.

Anthocyanin is found in great abundance in fruits like blueberries and blackberries. They work primarily by reducing the production of cytokines, inflammatory chemicals produced by various cells in the body, but particularly by fat cells. An increase in body fat, particularly “belly fat” is known to be a risk factor for high cholesterol.

The Future of Smart Foods

The good news on both these Smart Foods could not come at a better time since incidence of both high blood pressure and high cholesterol continue to be a major health threat both in America and Europe.
In fact, while we may be sitting up nights worrying about whether or not there's going to be a Swine Flu vaccine that really works, the truth is both high blood pressure and cholesterol are likely to cause much more harm to many more.

Indeed, both conditions are high risk factors for stroke and heart attack – which remain two of the biggest killer diseases of our time - and the fact that effective protection could come from our dinner plate and not necessarily a bottle of pills is an awesome concept.

That said, it's also important to note that in both instances the natural compounds used in the studies were somewhat enhanced. In the case of the cocoa, the beans were processed in a way that preserved the natural levels of flavonoids – something that might not be true of all commercially available cocoas. In the cholesterol study the protective factors found in berries were concentrated into a supplement.

That said, certainly if you include these healthy foods in your diet on a daily basis – in any form – you are likely to not only garner some of the therapeutic effects, but also some all-important disease prevention.

Colette Bouchez is the co-author of the just published book The New Fertility Diet Guide – a look at how smart foods can help you get pregnant faster at any age.

You might also be interested in reading:

New Food Process Removes Sugar -Keeps The Taste

Eat This - and Reduce Menopause Hot Flashes

Or visit RedDressDiary.com - Your Source for Health & Beauty For Women Over 40

Copyright by Colette Bouchez 2009 - All Rights Reserved.
In addition to US Copyright, the text of this RedDressDiary article is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 License. All formatting and style elements of this page are not available under this license, and Colette Bouchez retains all rights in those elements.

When Sweet Isn't So Nice: What You Must Know About High Fructose Corn Syrup.

By Colette Bouchez

There is perhaps nothing more refreshing after a workout class or day in the park than a icy glass of soda or fruit juice. And, in fact, if you are trying to avoid artificial sweeteners then you might be tempted to switch to beverages and foods sweetened with “the real thing” , which of course is sugar.

While in some instances this might be a good idea, when it comes to your good health there are some important precautions to heed. Indeed, there are a number of good studies showing that consuming large amounts of sugar – be it in soda, fruit juice, candy or other snack foods – can be harmful . Indeed, while it was once believed that there was no link between dietary sugar consumption and the risk of type 2 diabetes, or even insulin resistance, we now that just how wrong this assumption was.

The truth is, a diet high in refined, “simple” carbohydrates (which are metabolized as sugar) as well as refined sugars can increase your risk of both these conditions. Moreover, drinking lots of sugar-laden soda or fruit juice can also increase your risk of a vaginal yeast infection and in the process upset the acid level of your vaginal fluids.

But there is something else about these “sweet” foods you need to know.

While some sodas, juices and snack foods are sweetened with “real “ sugar, increasingly manufacturers are replacing sugar with a “natural” sweetener known as high fructose corn syrup. It's made by changing the glucose in cornstarch into a product that is part fructose and part glucose. Because it's not only only cheaper than sugar, but also helps extend the shelf life of many foods, it's now the top choice of many food manufacturers.

But while the method of making corn syrup sounds simple, trust me, this is not something grandma would have cooked up on her kitchen stove. The process is actually quite complex, involving lots of chemicals and other somewhat murky ingredients necessary to change these molecules into a sweetening agent. It also requires the chemical “re-arrangement” of several key natural enzymes - all of which impact the way the body processes this ingredient.

Indeed, while natural sugar can be metabolized by every cell in the body, high fructose corn syrup is much like alcohol and most medications in that it must be metabolized in the liver – and there in lies some of the health concerns. In fact studies on animals fed diets rich in high fructose corn syrup were found to have liver damage similar to that which occurs from alcohol abuse. While other studies have been less conclusive, still the evidence has me, and many doctors putting a red flag on those foods that contain high fructose corn syrup.

Perhaps the most disturbing evidence of all recently came to light when studies showed us that some sources of high fructose corn syrup are high in mercury content – a heavy metal that, even in small amounts can have devastating health effects no matter your age. These include impairment of senses such as sight and hearing, movement and coordination disorders and other sensory malfunctions.

So how do you satisfy your sweet tooth without harming your health ?

As with most things in life moderation is the key. If you want to err on the side of caution go light and easy on all sugar consumption, but especially foods sweetened with high fructose corn syrup – and doing so may be easier than you think.

You can, for example, use fresh fruit to sweeten natural yogurt ( instead of the overly-sweetened store bought variety already containing sugar) and you can dilute your juices and sodas ( which can contain up to 6 tablespoons of sugar and even more fructose in a single serving) with lots of ice or even some plain club soda. You won’t taste much of a difference and you could easily cut your sugar consumption in half. Essentially, try to cut down when and how you can.

This blog excerpted from Colette's new book :

The New Fertility Diet Guide: Smart, Easy, Natural Ways To Get Pregnant Fast!

Next Week: The New "natural" sugar replacements: What You Need To Know!

For more fabulous health and beauty news for women only visit RedDressDiary.com.

Copyright by Colette Bouchez 2009 - All Rights Reserved.
In addition to US Copyright, the text of this RedDressDiary article is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 License. All formatting and style elements of this page are not available under this license, and Colette Bouchez retains all rights in those elements.

Looking Younger Longer : What To Do

From new wrinkle relaxers to DIY at-home anti-aging, a cache of new "youth tools" promise we'll look younger faster and easier than ever. But do they work? RedDressDiary talked to the experts to find out!

By Colette Bouchez

So... here's what they say: Take all your vitamins, eat all your fruits and veggies and down a glass of red wine a day, and you too could live to 100 or more!

If this is true, then it can only mean one thing: In 50 more years we will be a planet of shrinking, wrinkling little Yodas!

The antidote: A cache of anti-aging “miracles” - treatments designed to make us look as young as we feel. Well, as young as we'd like to feel, at least.

Indeed, if maintaining the glow of youth is on your lifetime agenda, you certainly won't have any trouble filling your dance card : The sheer number of anti-aging products and services is enough to throw even your DNA into a cold sweat.

So how do you know what to try, what to buy and what not to wish on your worst “frenemy” ? To help you decide here's what a few experts say about what 's new right now and what it can do!

Dysport : The New Wrinkle Relaxing Frontier

The big news this month is the FDA approval of Dysport – the new “Botox alternative” for un-crinkling your furrowed brow. Similar to Botox, Dysport also utilizes a purified form of botulism toxin ( yeah, the kind you get from bad potatoe salad) to paralyze tiny muscles underneath facial lines and creases.And the result is similar as well : Much like pressing out those wrinkles from your white linen pants, both Dysport and Botox seem to smooth way the years.

So why reinvent the wheel? Well Dysport isn't exactly the same as Botox - and it does appear to last a tad longer - 4 months vs 2.5 to 3 months for Botox. But having a second alternative on the market also means market competition – and that can sometimes drive the price down. Currently doctors are reporting treatments with Dysport cost about 10% less than with Botox
( $ 450 per injection nationwide average vs $375-$400 average) with equally good or better results.

" I've been using it now for a couple of weeks with excellent results in about 25 patients. In my preliminary review, it seems extraordinarily similar to Botox Cosmetic except that it costs about 10% less, says dermatologist Charles E. Crutchfield III, MD, director of Crutchfield Dermatology in Egan, Minnesota.

The Bottom Line: It's another option for the anti-aging tool box, but to avoid being disappointed make sure its' what you really want and need. Sometimes a wrinkle filler ( like Restylane or JuvaDerm) will do the job better.

The Neckline Slim

You've all seen those catalog and Internet ads: The “before” picture sports a double chin, sagging jowls and that age-giveaway jiggly turkey neck; the “after” shows a smooth and youthfully firm neck. All of it is courtesy of a tiny device you hold under your chin to offer gentle resistance to the muscular structure – at a total cost of less than $30.00 But does it work?

“As with any exercise, strengthening of those muscles will be apparent, however by overall facial exercises show no proven results when it comes to curing sagging skin in these regions, “ says Sam Naficy, MD, a double board certified plastic surgeon and director of the Naficy Plastic Surgery and Rejuvenation Center in Seattle.

The Bottom Line: The cost is low but the result is minimal - and you can probably get a similar effect by smiling broadly , tightening your neck muscles, holding and releasing.

Glowelle Beauty Drink

They say beauty starts from within – and that's precisely the philosophy behind Glowelle, a “drink of beauty “ with claims that include nourishing and hydrating skin from the inside out. Using a powerful blend of antioxidants and vitamins plus botanical & fruit extracts in a powder you mix into water or any fruit drink or smoothie, the goal is to fight free radical damage ( a leading cause of aging skin) and rejuvenate that glow of youth – all for around $110 for a 30 day supply. But does it work?

Dr. Naficy says: "Adding extra anti-oxidants into ones daily diet is not a bad idea, however women who expect to see true anti-aging results from a beauty drink will be disappointed. Also, most beauty drinks contain calories, therefore are not suitable for all diets."

The Bottom Line: For a less costly but similar effect just eat all your fruits and veggies, take your vitamins, get plenty of beauty sleep , stay out of the sun, and drink lots of water – the original ( and free!) beauty drink!

The Oxygenating Face Shot

WARNING! Don't try this at home! :) In this treatment, a high powered atomizer fueled by a stream of pressurized oxygen blast- pumps moisturizers into your skin. The reported effect is immediate hydration – and a firm, plumper, smoother look for a cost of around $500. But does it work?

" This treatment is nothing more than a passing spa trend as there is no strong evidence of oxygen’s effectiveness when it comes to anti-aging. Additionally, the treatments are extremely costly and at least six treatments are recommended for optimal results, “ says Naficy.

NYU professor of dermatology Dr. Rhoda Narins says never underestimate the power of a good moisturizer – but you can get good effects by simply applying one daily onto your skin using your fingertips!

"Sometimes all you really need is a good moisturizer and a mild cleanser and you can take years off your face, " she says, adding that when skin is dry every single wrinkle is accentuated making you look much older.

The Bottom Line: Apply a moisturizer twice daily – or anytime skin looks dry to keep your complexion hydrated and plumped. If you've got big bucks to spend , skip the Face Shot and go for proven treatments like wrinkle relaxing injections or even Dysport or Botox. Better still, grab some sunscreen and blow the cost of the treatments on a fabulous vacation the south of France. You may not come back looking any younger but the memories will be so great, you won't care! :)

The Lunchtime Face Lift

It used to be that if you were lucky if you could squeeze in the time to buy a new pair of shoes on your lunch hour. Now, you can buy a whole new face, courtesy of a growing trend called the “Lunch Time Lift”. Here, you select from a “menu” of 30 minute treatments that offer (almost) immediate results with virtually no down town. Treatments include any number of wrinkle filling injections in combination with a mini face massage to stimulate collagen growth and improve skin's thickness and resiliency – and they start at around $550 per treatment. But do they work?

Dr. Naficy says: “Filler face-lifts are nothing new, however are becoming easier and easier to fit into a woman’s active lifestyle. Although, not for everyone, ( the cost is high) most of my patients do see a difference, with effects lasting up to two years."

Dr.Narins adds that the latest wrinkle fillers can also offer some permanent results by stimulating collagen production so as time passes you may need less to look young.

The Bottom Line: Lunchtime Lifts do work – but the lunch part will have to consist of lettuce and water for a long time in order to pay for it!

You might also enjoy reading:
The DNA of Looking Young
Chocolate- The New Botox?

For a steady stream of non-stop health and beauty advice visit RedDressDiary.com : The Source for Fabulous Women Over 40!

Copyright by Colette Bouchez 2009 - All Rights Reserved.
In addition to US Copyright, the text of this RedDressDiary article is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 License. All formatting and style elements of this page are not available under this license, and Colette Bouchez retains all rights in those elements.

Study: A Salad A Day Could Keep This Cancer Away

We recently lost actress Farrah Fawcett to colorectal cancer. Now a new study says women can protect themselves from the same fate by simply eating more vegetable salads. Here's what you need to know.- By Colette Bouchez

It's clear that any medical headlines hitting the front page these days are linked to the tragic and untimely death of Micheal Jackson.

But if you're a woman, it would be wise to pay attention to the less publicized, but possibly more relevant cause of death of superstar – Farrah Fawcett . Succumbing to rectal cancer, Fawcett is within a growing number of women diagnosed with this disease, as well as colon cancer every year.

And now a new study shows that a simple dietary change may have saved her life.

While once thought of as primarily a “man's problem” ( I lost my own father to colon cancer more than 30 yars ago) according to the American Cancer Society estimates today, the number of women with colon cancer is greater than men. Indeed, according to ACS estimates in 2009 some 54,000 women are expected to be diagnosed with this disease, compared to 52,000 men. An additional 17,000 women are expected to be diagnosed with rectal cancer – the type that killed Farah Fawcett at age 62. Nearly 25,000 women are expected to die of these two diseases in 2009, predicts ACS.

But this week, the news is encouraging. A new study shows we can substantially reduce our risks by as much as 70% - and all it's going to take is adding a few more leafy and green vegetables to our dinner plate. As the most powerful source of the B vitamin folate, a salad a day may just keep colon cancer away!

Indeed, in a new study published this week in the European Journal of Clinical Nutrition, researchers from Seoul, Korea found that women who had the highest intake of foods rich in the B vitamin folate experienced up to a 66 percent reduction in the risk of colon cancer and a 70% reduction in the risk of rectal cancer.

“We found a statistically significant relationship between higher dietary folate intake and reduced risk of CRC, colon cancer and rectal cancer in women,” wrote the researchers, who hail from Korea’s National Cancer Center, Hallym University, Inha University College of Medicine, and Seoul National University.

Study Details & Why A Vitamin Pill Won't Help You

In this hospital-based study doctors analyzed dietary data from nearly 600 men and women between the ages of 30 and 79, all of whom had been diagnosed with colorectal, colon or rectal cancer. Among the factors they sought out were the patients intake of foods high in the B vitamin folate – such as cow peas, chick peas, spinach,lentils, broccoli, peas,and lettuce.

The researchers then compared the dietary data to that of some 500 case controls – men and women in the same age group who did not have this cancer.

The Result: Women who had the highest intake of foods rich in folate had up to a 64% reduced risk of colorectal cancer, a 66% reduce risk of colon cancer, and up to a 70% reduced risk of rectal cancer.

Interestingly, the men in the study did not appear to gain cancer-reducing benefit from eating these same high folate foods.

But if you think you can cheat the system by continuing to eat cake instead of salad and just get your folate from a vitamin pill ….not so fast! A growing body of evidence suggests that folic acid, the synthetic form of folate that is not only basis for vitamin supplements but also the fortification found in founds like flour and other grain products, may not offer you the same protective effects. In fact, for some folks, synthetic folic acid supplements could even be harmful.

Folic Acid Supplements: What You Should Know

Clearly, some studies, like the one published today, offer evidence that folate can reduce the risk of some cancers in women. Other research, however, has shown the opposite – and now some experts think they know why.

The key appears to be the difference between the way the body processes the natural folate found in foods and how it deals with it's synthetic cousin folic acid, which is what you get in both vitamin pills and enriched grain products.

More specifically, as the synthetic folic acid passes through the intestinal wall, a conversion process must take place to turn it into folate – which the body can use. Now there is some evidence that a type of oxidation that occurs during the process can be harmful to some people.

“In select circumstances in which an individual who harbours a pre-cancerous or cancerous tumour consumes too much folic acid, the additional amounts of folate may instead facilitate the promotion of cancer,” says Joel Mason, a researcher from USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging at Tufts University in an article featured in the journal Nutrition Review.

Mason adds that "The fact that folic acid, which is not a naturally occurring form of the vitamin, is used by food and pharmaceutical industries for fortification and supplementation is potentially of importance.”

So, while natural folate found in foods may be beneficial, synthetic folic acid may not be – at least when it comes to colon cancer.

Women, Pregnancy and The Folic Acid Controversy

For women, however, the controversy over synthetic vs natural folate takes on even greater meaning in light of the overwhelming medical literature showing that adequate folate intake during pregnancy remains the single most important way to reduce the risk of neural tube defects, and related forms of mental retardation.

As a result, all pregnant women in the US, Canada and most nations worldwide are now prescribed folic acid supplements both before and during their pregnancy. What's more to help ensure adequate folate intake even more, in 1998 both the US and Canada ruled that all grain products sold in these countries must be fortified with folic acid.

But does folic acid offer the same level of pregnancy protection that was found in the natural folate studies? And could it ever be harmful?

Most obstetricians agree that folic acid supplements used during pregnancy at the prescribed amount ( up to 400 mcg daily) are helpful and not likely to cause any harm.

Indeed, preliminary data has shown that the supplementation has led to as high as a 50% reduction in neural tube defects in the US, Canada and Chile. And while the European jury is still out as to how much it's really helped, results are expected to mirror those found elsewhere.

That said, to help further insure the health of your baby – and begin to insure your own good health against colorectal cancer now and in the future - most experts agree it's a good idea to keep whole, healthy food sources of folate on your shopping list as well – including spinach, brocholi, cow beans, chick peas, lentils, peas and lettuce.

Not coincidentally, these same foods have also been linked to a lower incidence of a number of cancers, as well as a decrease in heart disease

You may also be interested in reading:
Study:Why Salad Can Help You Lose More Weight
Study: Nutrients That Can Stop Hair Loss, Cut Cancer Risks
Nutrients To Help You Get Pregnant Fast

Or visit www.RedDressDiary.com - The Source for Health & Beauty For Women Over 40! Copyright by Colette Bouchez 2009 - All Rights Reserved. In addition to US Copyright, the text of this RedDressDiary article is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 License. All formatting and style elements of this page are not available under this license, and Colette Bouchez retains all rights in those elements.

Study: Eat This & Burn More Fat !

A new study shows a common salad ingredient could be the key to weight loss. Here’s how to eat away the pounds! - By Colette Bouchez

If you’re old enough to remember platform shoes (the first time around :), disco balls and KC and The Sunshine Band, then you probably also remember one of the hottest weight loss crazes of the 1970's - The Vinegar and Lecithin Diet.

This one combined lecithin supplements, with a spoonful of apple cider vinegar after every meal - and was once touted as the fat burning revelation of the decade. Of course it soon went the way of pretty much all other fat burning revelations : It was replaced by the next big thing.

But if a brand new study is right, then dig out those KC albums and put on your dancin' shoes: That 1970’s weight loss craze may have actually have some merit.

Indeed, a group of Japanese scientists now say that a compound found in vinegar – a natural chemical known as acetic acid – may, in fact, actually help you burn more fat!

In fact, experts say that although the study was conducted on mice, results are so impressive they believe that not only can it translate to humans, it might eventually elevate plain old every day white vinegar to a high status among the few weight loss aids shown to really work.

“We intend to perform further clinical studies to confirm fat pad reduction and energy consumption enhancement by vinegar intake. Moreover, we will investigate the effect of acetic acid on fatty oxidative activation in other organs, particularly skeletal muscles,” wrote the researchers in the latest edition of the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry.

In the study three groups of mice were fed a diet consisting of at least 50% fat. One group received supplementation of 1.5 percent vinegar (high acid), one group received .3% vinegar (low acid) and the third group received plain water.

The result: By the end of the study the mice taking both the high and the low acid vinegars gained about 10% less body fat than the mice who had no vinegar. This, say researchers, indicates that even a little vinegar may do the trick when it comes to fat burning potential.

How Salad Makes You Thin

Since almost the beginning of lettuce-growing time, doctors have known that eating a lot of salads can help you maintain your weight. One reason has to do with the low calorie- high fiber content of salad greens, most of which can help you feel full longer after a meal.

Moreover, if you start your meal with a salad, and give your appetite 10 to 15 minutes before eating your next course you’re likely to eat less – simply because the salad will help your stomach feel fuller on less.

Now, however, experts say that adding a douse of vinegar to your greens actually works to influence genes directly linked to the body's ability to burn fat. Moreover, the acid in the vinegar also works to increase activity of heat generating proteins -also key to the fat burning process.

It short, vinegar “turns up the heat” so your body burns fat faster!

Interestingly, previous studies on a concept known as "thermogenics) have shown that other hot foods, including chilli peppers, also appear to increase fat burning by turning up our metabolic heat. In fact there are some super models I know that won’t eat a bite of food unless it’s smothered in a spicy red pepper! Some have been known to follow every meal with a " pepper and water chaser". ( But don't try this at home unless you're already used to eating very spicy foods since they can be hard on the mouth and tongue and cause extreme gastrointestinal upset or other problems.) ( And if you're already suffering from hot flashes, hot spicy foods definite will make the hot flash worse!).

In addition to the new study on vinegar, previous research published in the European Journal of Clinical Nutrition in 2005 has shown it may also reduce appetite and cut cravings that are linked to spikes in sugar that occur after eating. In this instance it may be particularly helpful to those suffering with insulin resistance, the precursor to type 2 diabetes.

You might also enjoy reading:

New Smart Foods Improve Your Health

New Sweet Fiber Curbs Appetite Boosts Weight Loss

Or visit RedDressDiary.com - THE SOURCE for health and beauty for women over 40!

Copyright by Colette Bouchez 2009 - All Rights Reserved.
In addition to US Copyright, the text of this RedDressDiary article is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 License. All formatting and style elements of this page are not available under this license, and Colette Bouchez retains all rights in those elements.

Cosmetic Safety On The Line

A new book asserts that the rise in breast cancer is directly linked to chemicals in cosmetics and personal care items. But is it true? Here's what you need to know - Colette Bouchez

It seems to be a headline that just won't go away: The safety of cosmetics and personal care is challenged time and again.

Such is the case with a brand new book titled No Family History, (Rowman and Littlefield Publishers) by Sabrina McCormick, PhD, of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, in Pennsylvania.

Indeed, according to McCormick, women are being set up for the health hit of a lifetime – and our weapon of mass destruction includes those cute little pink cosmetic bags which, the author says,are frequently filled to the brim with a toxic brew of chemicals that could be making us sick. The effects, say says are compounded daily by exposure to other environmental chemical assaults, from pesticides to household cleaners.

“In our race for a cure for breast cancer, we have ignored the overwhelming body of evidence that demonstrates a link between products from cosmetics to pesticides and breast cancer,” said McCormick.

To bolster her point of view McCormick points to statistics showing that in 1940, approximately one in 24 women who lived to be 80 were likely to get breast cancer – compared to one in eight, which was the figure in 2006. The rise, she says, shows a direct correlation to the rise of the use of chemicals in personal care and other products.

Moreover, it's a point of view shared by an increasing number of experts, including Stacy Malkin, co founder of the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics and author of the book Not Just a Pretty Face ( New Society Publishers).

"Cosmetics and personal care products are potentially major sources of chemical exposure – particularly if you look at the number of items women use and the sheer number of chemicals in them - 20 products, with over 200 chemicals is typical before a woman even walks out the door in the morning," says Malkin.

These chemicals, she says, documented by everyone from the World Health Organization to the Centers for Disease Control, are armed and dangerous, with a slew of health threats that range from cancer to infertility to birth defects and more.

The Beauty Industry Says Safety First

But the beauty industry not only disagrees, they say the alarming accusations are not news – and that these issues have been raised time and time again – with conclusive evidence of harm.

"Many of the issues that are coming up today are, in fact, a recycling of old issues that the FDA considered in their context and decided that no regulatory action was necessary on their part," says John Bailey, executive vice president of science at the Cosmetics Toiletries and Fragrance Association (CTFA), the leading beauty industry organization.

Bailey, the former director of the FDA's Office of Cosmetics and Colors, adds that not only are cosmetics and personal care products generally safe, they are, he says, " Safest of all the products consumers will use that are regulated by FDA including foods, drugs, dietary supplements and over the counter drugs and it is well documented in the number of consumer complaints that FDA gets compared to other areas."

And in truth, FDA stats do show that complaints about cosmetics and skin care products are exceedingly small when compared to those registered about over the counter drugs or even prescription medications.

While this may be true, some experts say it's not so much the immediate reactions of these products – the kind the FDA monitors – that gives rise to concerns, but rather the future and cumulative risks to our health that represent the biggest threat.

Younger Women At Greatest Risk

Indeed, studies have shown that some of the chemicals commonly used in cosmetic and skin care products are not only showing up in our blood , but also in our body tissue – in some instances in malignant breast tissue. And while there is still no clear cut link to show that these chemicals caused the malignancy to occur- or spread - some experts believe it's enough of a smoking gun to raise eyebrows – and concern.

"The evidence may not be as definitive as some would like, but there are some strong associations suggesting women routinely exposed to some of these ingredients may increase their risk of developing breast cancer later in life," says Vassar professor Dr. Janet Gray, who, together with experts from the University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute compiled a report on what we know thus far about the environmental links to breast cancer.

Moreover, Gray explains that it may be our daughters and grandaugthers that could be at greatest risk since, she says, breast cells that are developing ( which they do until about age 25 ) are far more susceptible to chemical influences that those which are already fully grown.

Cancer prevention expert Julia Smith, MD, agrees.

“What worries those of us involved with cancer prevention is that we don't know the cumulative effects of these chemicals, or the synergistic effects of one chemical with another, or what role the chemicals found in cosmetics will play when viewed in the broader scope of the overall chemical exposure we get from all facets of our life, " says Smith, the director of the Lynne Cohen Breast and Ovarian Cancer Prevention Program at the NYU Cancer Institute, New York City.

What Women Should Do Now

Certainly, it would be terrific if we had definitive answers about the impact of all the chemicals in our make up bag or even in our environment . But the truth is, we don't. In fact, while McCormick points out the rise in breast cancer rates correlates with the rise of chemicals in our daily life, the truth is, it also correlates with lots of other factors as well – including increasing rates of obesity, increased consumption of junk food, more alcohol and prescription drug use (some of which has already been linked to an increased risk of cancer), as well as more stress. And experts say any and all of these factors can have as many links to breast cancer as chemicals.

So what's a woman' to do? Smith seems to have the most common sense approach.

“Will you get cancer from using a lipstick ? Probably not. But you should think about all the products you use , and view them against the background of everything else in your life including your family history, your diet, and your general environment, then figure out which of these products are still essential to your life ,” Smith says.

If it isn't essential, says Smith, just do it without it – and then use the products you think you do need without excess fear or worry.

“ You do what you can, and hope it might make a positive difference in your life" , she says.

Click here to read Part II: Making Cosmetics Safer: What Every Woman Can Do

Visit RedDressDiary.com: Your Source For Beauty & Health For Women Over 40

Copyright by Colette Bouchez 2009 - All Rights Reserved. The text of this RedDressDiary article is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 License. All formatting and style elements of this page are not available under this license, and Colette Bouchez retains all rights in those elements.

Cool Off - With Pillows That Provide Sweet Relief!

Having a hot flash? Or maybe it really is hot in here! Either way a new book takes a look at the latest cache of Cool Pillows . Find out what really works to keep you cool this summer! - By Colette Bouchez

If you thought those heating bills were a strain this winter, experts say we're in for an even greater sticker shock this summer, when those AC electric bills come pouring in!

In fact, with utilities going up nationwide, some predict it's going to be tough keeping cool and paying the mortgage this summer!

If this also happens to be your season of hot flashes and night sweats … well take it from me, you definitely can get into some legal trouble for running naked through the sprinkler system at 2:00 am. And in case you're wondering, menopause is definitely not considered a type of insanity plea ( although I can't see why not! ):)

But the good news is that whether it's hot flashes or night sweats turning up your personal thermostat, you can cut down on those AC bills without having to wear your kids flameproof PJs to bed. The answer : A cache of new pillows designed to keep you cool at night.

Based on a variety of technologies – from cool fibers that literally pull heat from your head, to water chilled inserts designed to lower body temperature, to new types of
“cool foam " that prevent your pillow from holding body heat - at least some of these offings can make a huge difference, particularly when it comes to keeping cool at night.

That said, not every “cool pillow” out there works equally as well – and for some relief may be minimal to none. Indeed, I've found that what you get depends a lot on what you expect – not to mention hot how your hot flash really is!

But to help you decide what might be worth a try, here's a look at the four most popular cool pillows on the market today –what they promise, what they deliver , and what you can expect!

Cool Pillow # 1 : THE CHILLOW
Approximate Cost: $30.00 - $40.00
Size: 21”L -- 13.5”W -- approx 1/2" D with water added
Weight: About 5.5 pounds filled.

The Promise: Using a proprietary technology known as “SmoothSoft” a Chillow is said to combine certain properties of thermodynamics (the science of heat and energy) to pull warmth from your head and release it into the air. This continual releasing of heat allows the Chillow insert to remain cool to the touch at all times.

The Reality: If you’re looking for the icy-cold feel of a snowball against your skin, this isn’t it. In fact, even the maker of The Chillow asserts that the goal of the insert is not to remain super cool all the time, but rather to react with your body temperature, cooling you down only when you need it. So, at the start of the night, when your metabolism is still revved from a day of activity, your head will be hotter- and the Chillow will be cooler. As you approach morning, however, and your body temperature has naturally cooled during the night, the Chillow will be substantially less cool to the touch. So, if somewhere around dawn you get a night sweat, the Chillow is not going to get cold again. In this respect it may be most useful for those who need the most cooling when falling asleep.

Cool Pillow # 2: IsoCool™
Approximate Cost: $25-$29.00
Size: Standard, Queen, King, 3” thick.
Weight: 3 to 4 pounds depending on size

The Promise: Because this pillow acts as a kind of temperature sensor, if you’re too warm the pillow absorbs heat so you feel cooler; if you’re cold, it releases heat and feels warm to the touch. Since IsoCool™ products feature the highest available concentration of micro beads, they claim to be the most effective in this category of pillows – as well as the most comfortable. They're also available in two fills: A spiral-spun polyester and a Viscose-elastic foam.

The Reality: I tried the foam version and found that it did feel cool to the touch. That said, it did warm up relatively quickly – it still remained cooler than most foam pillows but definitely warmer than when I first laid down. That said, if you're looking for an icy blast in the middle of a blazing hot flash, this isn't the pillow for you. Plus the foam version I tried had a very strong "foam odor" so if that bothers you opt for the polyester version.

Cool Pillow # 3: HOT FLASH FRIDGE PILLOW
Approximate Cost: $9.95
Weight – About 4 pounds fully inflated
Size: 11 x 9

The Promise: These pillows are designed to feel cool , even after you are burning up! And while they arrive flat, weighing only a few ounces, once soaked in water, they grow cold and inflate to about 6 inches thick. The outside fabric dries super quickly – and if you wipe it off with a towel it’s dry in less than one minute. But because it’s the crystals inside that absorb the water and hold it, the pillow stays constantly cool. For an extra punch of icy coolness, you can refrigerate the inflated pillow for about a half hour.

The Reality: It's not the most comfortable pillow you'll ever sleep on - equal to a very firm throw pillow - but if it's cool you're looking for, cool you will get! This pillow works - and it stays cool through the night! I’ve also found that if you soak it for less time, it doesn’t inflate as much –so it is softer - One caveat: You can’t wash these pillows with any kind of soap. If soap comes in contact with the crystals (and it can permeate the fabric) it can lead to a skin irritation. But if you simply place it in a pillow case, you shouldn’t have any problems keeping it clean.

Cool Pillow # 4: Cool Thing Pocket Square
Approximate Cost: $14.00- 28.00
Size: 11 x 16
Weight – About 2 pounds

The Promise: This product isn't technically a pillow at all, but rather a thin “pocket square” that, like the Fridge Pillow, contains a type of crystal material that inflates when it's soaked in water . This one, however, gets so cold it stays cold for up to several days. No kidding! It also needs no refrigeration and can be refreshed anytime by simply dipping it in cold water.

The Reality: While it's not a pillow you would use for comfort, ( too thin) I've found that it works wonders when tucked inside a pillow case on top of your own pillow – as a kind of layer of cool next to your face and head. Out of all the “cool pillows” I tried, this one remained cold the longest – pretty much through the night. You can also wash this one in soapy water and it won't harm the crystals.

For more information on these products including where to find them visit RedDressDiary.com.

This blog was excerpted from Colette Bouchez's new book : " The Hot Flash Solution"

You might also be interested in reading:
Eat This And Reduce Hot Flashes
Is the OPRAH EFFECT Good For Women's Health?

Copyright by Colette Bouchez 2009 - All Rights Reserved. In addition to US Copyright, the text of this RedDressDiary article is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 License. All formatting and style elements of this page are not available under this license, and Colette Bouchez retains all rights in those elements.