Olive Oil -Not Just for Popeye
Archeological records indicate that man has cultivated the olive tree for about 6,000 years; having been especially popular in the Isle of Crete (which as you recall, also appeared in the Seven Countries Study to be the site of the lowest incidence of heart disease). All oils that we use for eating and cooking contain "fat" and olive oil is no exception. However, it is mostly monounsaturated fat as opposed to saturated fat or hydrogenated fat. It can be used as a flavoring for cooking or in salad dressings or as a healthy substitute for butter or margarine. Several large population studies have confirmed that diets with higher amounts of fat of the monounsaturated type reduce total cholesterol and LDL ["bad"] cholesterol levels to the same degree as low fat, high-carbohydrate diets [such as the AHA Step I and II diets].
The additional benefit of olive oil is, as part of a Mediterranean type diet, is that it also has a favorable effect on lowering blood triglycerides [also a factor in heart disease] and maintaining HDL ["good" cholesterol].In a published study, individuals were randomly assigned to one of three diets: a diet enriched with olive oil, an AHA Step II diet, or an average American control diet. The olive oil and Step II diets lowered total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol to the same degree. However, triglyceride levels fell 13% in patients on the olive oil diet and increased 11% in the Step II diet. HDL cholesterol levels were unchanged in the olive oil diet but decreased 4% in the Step II diet. Remember we want to keep the HDL up as high as possible to reduce heart disease.Based upon the above information, the authors of the study estimated that the overall risk of cardiovascular disease was lowered by 25% by the olive oil diet and only 12% by the Step II diet.
Please note that the cholesterol lowering "statin" type drugs lower risk for a heart attack by about 35%, which is not too much better than the "olive oil" diet alone. In subjects with elevated cholesterols who would benefit from use of statin type medications, additional cardiovascular benefit would then be found by also following a diet with olive oil as a substitute for salad dressing, as a substitute for butter or margarine, and for cooking.Olive oil apparently has other beneficial effects such as lowering blood pressure, inhibiting the oxidation of LDL cholesterol [the last step before it gets put into your arteries], providing anti-inflammatory effects, and improving insulin sensitivity.The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has recently given manufactures of olive oil and some olive oil-containing food the green light to carry a statement about their potential heart benefits. The claim indicates evidence suggesting that about 2 tablespoons of olive oil per day may reduce the risk of a heart attack. However, to achieve this result, the olive oil should replace a similar amount of saturated fat and should not increase the total daily calories.The strong taste of extra-virgin olive oil is partly because of the presence of a large amount of "flavonoids", which account for its antioxidant properties that then reduce LDL oxidation. Other foods rich in flavonoids include berries, apples, onions, tea, and red wine (all of which have also been shown to be of benefit in reducing overall heart risk).Disclaimer: If you are under 18, pregnant, nursing or have health problems, consult your physician before starting any weight loss plan.
The information here is not intended as a substitute for medical advice. Please consult your physician before beginning any course of treatment.Dr. John Rumberger is the Author of The WAY Diet, The complete lifestyle plan to live longer, reduce stress, and lose weight the healthy way. To purchase The Way Diet simply go to http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/redirect?path=ASIN/0974993387&link_code=as2&camp=1789&tag=icobweb-20&creative=9325 or go to Empty Canoe Publishing http://www.emptycanoe.com and order your copy of The Way..
Dr. John RumbergerI have dedicated my life to studying the heart and the blood that pumps throughout the human body.I have spent much of the last thirty years doing research and spending valuable time with patients, trying to better understand the heart.My experience in the field is extensive, and includes achieving my doctorate in 1976 (Bio-Engineering/ Fluid Dynamics/ Applied Mathematics) from The Ohio State University Columbus, Ohio, with a dissertation on, A Non-Linear Model of Coronary Artery Blood Flow. I then continued my education into my true love, medicine, when in 1978 I became a M.D. graduating from the School of Medicine at the University of Miami, Florida. I became an Internist and then a Cardiologist.
Since then, I have pioneered how the medical field views the process of blood flow through the heart.
From my appointment as professor at the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota, to Medical Director at the HealthWISE Wellness Diagnostic Center in Ohio I have treated patients with heart problems.
Though each patient is unique, the heart in each of us works the same way.sean@emptycanoe.com
Americans Are Fat, Frustrated, Fed Up And Finished With Fad Diets
Hoboken, NJ (ContentDesk) January 19, 2006 -- Atkins is gone... Bankrupt. Popular fat burner pills have been yanked off the market by the FDA. The FTC has pulled down the gates and padlocked the doors of one company after another for making false claims about their diet products. Weve cycled through an entire decade of low fat diets followed by another decade of low carb diets.Its now 2006 and millions of men and women desperate to lose weight have suffered through it all and tried it all.
Sadly, for 95% of them, everything has failed and obesity rates have exploded to an all time high. Americans are the fattest people on earth and they are frustrated and fed up. So what now? Will a new diet or weight loss trend step into the spotlight in 2006? Respected fat loss expert Tom Venuto, author of the Internets best selling e-book, Burn The fat, Feed The Muscle, says he has some answers, and a prediction... Fad diets and weight loss gimmicks will never go away completely. As long...
Americans Are Fat, Frustrated, Fed Up And Finished With Fad Diets
Diets > Americans Are Fat, Frustrated, Fed Up And Finished With Fad Diets
Diets, Exercise, Health and Weight Loss
Copyright 2006 Donovan Baldwin
Square one. Stop thinking about diet, diets, dieting, on a diet, fad diet, latest diet, celebrity diet, diet pills, diet plans, diet programs?ad nauseum?literally!
A diet is simply what you eat! Your diet can consist of chocolate donuts or alfalfa sprouts, but most "Diets", with a capital "D" will not set you free. Instead, they lock you in a cage. Eat anything other than what they prescribe, and you are a failure?at least, so reads their literature.
Of course, what we eat and when we eat it can play a big part in weight loss or gain. Even where we eat can be important.
Ever eat too much at Grandma's on Thanksgiving? I have. How about that cocktail party when you went wandering over to the snack trays?and drank one more drink because someone offered it to you? Okay, for me it would be sitting at the bar ordering one more beer (light, of course) because the game's not over yet. Oh yeah, pass the chips.
...
Diets > Diets, Exercise, Health and Weight Loss
Borderline Division 1? How To Make It
As a former NCAA Division 1 Athlete, I have parents ask me quite often what their son or daughter needs to do in order to make it to the highest level of college athletics. First, mom and dad need to know where they fit in the equation to success. Parents cannot be the primary motivator. If a kid is not self-motivated to be on the field or in the gym early and often, I would say he does not have what it takes. No matter how hard a parent pushes, kids will ultimately change only if their heart is committed.
A parent must be the primary encourager, not a micro-managing know-it-all. Too many parents try to implement their own agendas in their child's lives as opposed to providing guidelines, guardrails, and "good-jobs" along the way. Second, if you are a "borderline athlete" ? not one of the top players in the nation being recruited by the top schools ? then you must focus on nutrition and training to engrain. High sugar & high fat diets are not going to help you get that extra burst...
Borderline Division 1? How To Make It
Diets > Borderline Division 1? How To Make It
Olive Oil -Not Just for Popeye Diets
Aerobic Exercise
AEROBIC EXERCISE
We've all been hearing about the health benefits of regular
aerobic exercise and eating properly. According to numerous
online sources, aerobic exercise includes activity that
makes the heart and lungs worker harder than they do at rest
for a continuous period of time.
There are many types of aerobic exercise to choose from including
dancing, skating, skiing, running, walking, bicycling, stair climbing
Diets > Aerobic Exercise
HHH Enterprises Announces Article Series on Beading and Jewelry Making Business Issues
(ContentDesk) January 6, 2006 -- HHH Enterprises, a full service, Texas based bead and jewelry components supplier is proud to announce a new series of articles on business issues. This series is designed to help both new beaders and jewelry makers, and existing business owners to start, run and improve their business. This multi-part series will cover all aspects of running a bead or jewelry making business:- legal and tax issues- selling venues, such as craft shows, home based selling, and...
HHH Enterprises Announces Article Series on Beading and Jewelry Making Business Issues Olive Oil -Not Just for Popeye jewelry
Diets > HHH Enterprises Announces Article Series on Beading and Jewelry Making Business Issues
Leather Skirts
As the weather gets colder, a leather skirt looks fantastic when paired with a sweater and boots. Leather definitely made the strongest statement at most couture showings this year, so if you have to purchase a single wardrobe item to jazz up your winter wardrobe, we would recommend a mid length to long tailored leather skirt.
A staple of the cold season's designerwear, leather skirts can be seen everywhere. Interestingly, it is more about attitude than fabric and is usually worn...
Diets > Leather Skirts
Work & Travel USA Begins Accepting Reservations For the 2006 Summer Staff Recruitment Fair in Europe
New York, NY (ContentDesk) September 27, 2005 -- InterExchange Work & Travel USA (www.worktravelusa.org) begins accepting reservations for the European Summer Staff Recruitment Fair to be held January 12th-January 22nd The Summer Staff Recruitment Fair is open to any U.S. business seeking to hire entry-level seasonal employees for the 2006 summer season. A free trip is available when hiring 60 or more total employees from three countries....
Olive Oil -Not Just for Popeye
Diets > Work & Travel USA Begins Accepting Reservations For the 2006 Summer Staff Recruitment Fair in Europe