Shouldn't you eat spinach if you take blood thinners?

Spinach, like cabbage, Brussels sprouts, and other green leafy vegetables, has a lot of vitamin K, which can affect how Coumadin works.

If you take that drug, it's OK to eat those vegetables, but try to eat the same amount every day. A sudden increase in vitamin K can make Coumadin less effective.

If you're taking any of the newer blood thinners -- Eliquis (apixaban), Pradaxa (dabigatran), or Xarelto (rivaroxaban) -- you can eat as many green leafy vegetables as you'd like. Your diet won't affect those drugs.

Info source:

Quiz: What You Need to Know About Blood Thinners

http://www.m.webmd.com/heart-disease/rm-quiz-blood-thinners?ecd=wnl_wmh_070714&ctr=wnl-wmh-070714_ld-stry_3&mb=GULHw1r0yczQttMGkoWNR%40HnVev1imbCX2R%2fDNcXcrE%3d

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Magnesium to fight headache, fatigue and stress: Spinach

Magnesium to fight headache, fatigue and stress: Spinach, 

Too little magnesium may trigger headaches and fatigue, compounding the effects of stress. 

One cup of spinach helps you stock back up on magnesium. 

Don't like spinach? Other green, leafy vegetables are good magnesium sources. 

Or try some cooked soybeans or a fillet of salmon, also high in magnesium.

http://www.m.webmd.com/diet/ss/slideshow-diet-for-stress-management

Some food sources of vitamin E

Info source: http://www.med.nyu.edu/content?ChunkIID=21476

Vitamin E is an antioxidant that fights damaging natural substances known as free radicals. It works in lipids (fats and oils), which makes it complementary to vitamin C, which fights free radicals dissolved in water. As an antioxidant, vitamin E has been widely advocated for preventing heart disease and cancer. However, the results of large, well-designed trials have generally not been encouraging. Many other proposed benefits of vitamin E have also failed to stand up in studies. There are no medicinal uses for vitamin E with solid scientific support.

The best food sources of vitamin E are polyunsaturated vegetable oils, seeds, and nuts. To get a therapeutic dosage, though, you need to take a supplement. The National Institutes of Health's Office of Dietary Supplements offers this list of foods that are high in vitamin E: ²³⁹

Food	Serving size	Vitamin E content  (milligrams [mg])	% Daily Value
Wheat germ	1 tablespoon	20.3	100
Sunflower seeds, dry roasted	1 ounce	7.4	37
Almonds, dry roasted	1 ounce	6.8	34
Sunflower oil	1 tablespoon	5.6	28
Safflower oil	1 tablespoon	4.6	25
Hazelnuts, dry roasted	1 ounce	4.3	22
Peanut butter	2 tablespoons	2.9	15
Peanuts, dry roasted	1 ounce	2.2	11
Corn oil	1 tablespoon	1.9	10
Olive oil	1 tablespoon	1.9	10
Spinach, boiled	½ cup	1.9	10
Broccoli, boiled	½ cup	1.2	6
Soybean oil	½ cup	1.1	6
Kiwifruit	1 medium	1.1	6
Mango	½ cup	0.7	4
Tomato, raw	1 medium	0.7	4
Spinach, raw	1 cup	0.6	3

Is a 30ml (1oz) shot of wheatgrass contains as many nutrients as 1kg (2.2lbs) of common vegetables, such as spinach and broccoli?

Is a 30ml (1oz) shot of wheatgrass contains as many nutrients as 1kg (2.2lbs) of common vegetables, such as spinach and broccoli?

The following is extracted from

http://www.nhs.uk/livewell/superfoods/Pages/is-wheatgrass-a-superfood.aspx

Wheatgrass contains chlorophyll, vitamin A, vitamin C and vitamin E, iron, calcium and magnesium.

Nutrition claims

Despite claims that a 30ml (1oz) shot of wheatgrass contains as many nutrients as 1kg (2.2lbs) of your finest veggies, tests show that, pound for pound, the nutrient content of wheatgrass juice is roughly equivalent to that of common vegetables, such as spinach and broccoli. 

The dietitian's verdict

Alison Hornby, a dietitian and BDA spokesperson, says: "There is no sound evidence to support the claim that wheatgrass is better than other fruits and vegetables in terms of nutrition. It cannot be recommended above any other choices in this food group. 

"Although it contributes towards your recommended daily intake of fruit and veg, a single shot of wheatgrass doesn't count as one of your 5 A Day. But if you're a big fan, you could combine a shot with a fruit or veg smoothie."


Note: Alison Hornby's website is http://www.alisonhornbynutrition.com/

Spinach and mood

Green Means Go

No wonder Popeye was always so jolly: his beloved spinach is swimming in antioxidants, which protect the delicate membranes in brain cells from the free radicals that dampen mood and drain energy. Spinach also boasts folic acid, a B vitamin strongly linked with preventing depression and reducing fatigue. Toss spinach into your salads, sandwiches and soups to up your intake.

http://www.ivillage.com/green-means-go/4-b-122917

Top 10 Foods for Healthy Hair

Top 10 Foods for Healthy Hair

http://www.m.webmd.com/healthy-beauty/features/top-10-foods-for-healthy-hair?page=2

What Does the Oz Crew Eat?

Dr. Oz recently snuck onto the set of The View to take a peek at how healthy their on-set food was. When he saw all the sugary snacks, he couldn’t resist pranking them by replacing their spread with some protein-rich Ozified healthy options.

So does the crew at The Doctor Oz Show walk the walk?  Check out this list of backstage snacks and judge for yourself:

(1) Hard-boiled eggs 
(2) Walnuts 
(3) Greek yogurt with low-fat granola 
(4) Spinach and kale green drink 
(5) Semi-soft cheese 
(6) 2% milk 

For details, please visit http://blog.doctoroz.com/behind-the-scenes/what-does-the-oz-crew-eat (2013-10-11)

Spinach: A Super Carotenoid Source

Spinach: A Super Carotenoid Source

Maybe you've heard that lutein, an antioxidant, is good for your eyes. Research is by no means confirmed, but it might also play a role in guarding against cancer.

Spinach is rich in lutein and zeaxanthin, carotenoids that remove unstable molecules called free radicals from your body before they damage it. They're found in spinach and other dark green leafy vegetables, and some studies show they could protect against cancer of the mouth, esophagus, and stomach. An NIH/AARP study of more than 490,000 people found that those who ate more spinach were less likely to develop esophageal cancer. Some studies suggest the carotenoids in spinach and other foods reduce the risk of ovarian, endometrial, lung, and colorectal cancer, too.

Throw in folate and fiber, which researchers think might trim the risk of certain cancers, and you've got nutritional powerhouse in every dark green leaf. Folate helps your body produce new cells and repair DNA, and is especially important for women of childbearing age because it can prevent neural tube defects in a developing fetus. You'll get the most lutein from raw or lightly cooked spinach. Enjoy it in a salad, steamed, or sautéed with garlic and olive oil, or stirred into soups. For a change, substitute kale, collard greens, Swiss chard, or romaine lettuce. But spinach is the star. "Out of the leafy greens, spinach is one of the most nutrient-dense," Doyle says.

Info source:

http://www.m.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/features/seven-easy-to-find-foods-that-may-help-fight-cancer?page=8

Health benefits of Lutein (from WebMd)

Health benefits of Lutein

Original title: Lutein overview information

Info source

http://www.webmd.com/vitamins-supplements/ingredientmono-754-LUTEIN.aspx?activeIngredientId=754&activeIngredientName=LUTEIN

Lutein is called a carotenoid vitamin. It is related to beta-carotene and vitamin A. 

Foods rich in lutein include broccoli, spinach, kale, corn, orange pepper, kiwi fruit, grapes, orange juice, zucchini, and squash. 

Lutein is absorbed best when it is taken with a high-fat meal.

Many people think of lutein as “the eye vitamin.” They use it to prevent eye diseases including age-related macular degeneration (AMD), cataracts, and retinitis pigmentosa.

Some people also use it for preventing colon cancer, breast cancer, type 2 diabetes, and heart disease.

Many multivitamins contain lutein. They usually provide a relatively small amount of 0.25 mg per tablet.

How does it work?

---------

Lutein is one of two major carotenoids found as a color pigment in the human eye (macula and retina). It is thought to function as a light filter, protecting the eye tissues from sunlight damage.

Dietary Changes to Help Prevent Kidney Stones [by National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Information Clearinghouse (NKUDIC)]

Info source: http://kidney.niddk.nih.gov/kudiseases/pubs/kidneystonediet/


Dietary Changes to Help Prevent Kidney Stones

People can help prevent kidney stones by making changes in fluid intake and, depending on the type of kidney stone, changes in consumption of sodium, animal protein, calcium, and oxalate.

Drinking enough fluids each day is the best way to help prevent most types of kidney stones. Health care providers recommend that a person drink 2 to 3 liters of fluid a day. People with cystine stones may need to drink even more. Though water is best, other fluids may also help prevent kidney stones, such as citrus drinks.

Recommendations based on the specific type of kidney stone include the following:

Calcium Oxalate Stones
(1) reducing sodium
(2) reducing animal protein, such as meat, eggs, and fish
(3) getting enough calcium from food or taking calcium supplements with food
(4) avoiding foods high in oxalate, such as spinach, rhubarb, nuts, and wheat bran

Calcium Phosphate Stones
(1) reducing sodium
(2) reducing animal protein
(3) getting enough calcium from food or taking calcium supplements with food

Uric Acid Stones
(1) limiting animal protein

Top 10 Stress-Fighting Foods and 4 Foods to Avoid (From todaysdietitian.com)

Info source:

http://www.todaysdietitian.com/healthandnutrition/health/fight-stress-with-food.shtml

Top 10 Stress-Fighting Foods

1. Spinach contains magnesium, which helps improve your body’s response to stress and may prevent migraine headaches.
2. Asparagus is a good source of folic acid, which produces serotonin and helps stabilize mood.
3. Beef helps stabilize mood by supplying zinc, iron, and B vitamins.
4. Dairy products such as milk and cottage cheese provide protein and calcium.
5. Nuts and seeds are good stress-fighting snacks. In addition to containing vitamin B12, magnesium, and zinc, almonds also provide vitamin E, which, like vitamin C, fights stress-related free radicals that cause heart disease. Walnuts and pistachios are known to lower blood pressure. Sunflower seeds include folate, which helps produce dopamine, a pleasure-inducing brain chemical.
6. Fruits such as oranges and blueberries contain vitamin C, which fights cancer-causing free radicals. Blueberries also counteract the effect of hormones such as cortisol, and bananas provide potassium, which lowers blood pressure.
7. Fish containing omega-3 fatty acids, such as salmon, can boost serotonin levels and limit the production of anxiety hormones such as adrenaline and cortisol.
8. Avocados are a good source of monounsaturated fat and potassium, which lower blood pressure.
9. Milk, including skim milk, is high in antioxidants and vitamins B2 and B12 and also provides protein and calcium, which can reduce muscle spasms and tension and soothe PMS.
10. Crispy rice cereal or corn flakes aren’t necessarily low in sugar; however, they offer B vitamins and folic acid, which reduce stress. Have a bowl of whole-grain cereal with milk for a stress-fighting breakfast.

4 Foods to Avoid
1. Caffeine, found in coffee, tea, soda, and chocolate, can cause anxiety and raise stress hormone levels.
2. Sugar causes spikes in blood glucose levels and increases insulin. This affects your adrenal glands, which regulate stress hormones and help the thyroid regulate body weight.
3. Trans fatty acids such as hydrogenated vegetable oil are found in many baked goods and can hinder the immune system and increase the risk of heart disease.
4. Alcohol puts more sugar in the body, and excessive consumption can damage the adrenal glands.

Improve your memory with spinach

Source: Science fact Facebook .

Sugar contents in per 100 grams of Apple, orange, banana, carrot and spinach

Re: Sugar contents in per 100 grams of Apple, orange, banana, carrot and spinach

Oranges, raw, navels has 8.50 grams of sugar per 100 grams of for edible portion

Apples, raw, without skin has 10.10 grams of sugar per 100 grams of for edible portion

Banana raw, without skin has 12.23 grams of sugar per 100 grams of for edible portion

Carrots raw, without skin has 4.74 grams of sugar per 100 grams of for edible portion

Spinach raw, without skin has 0.42 grams of sugar per 100 grams of for edible portion

Why beta-carotene from plant sources is important for making Vitamin A in human body?

Info Source:

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/002400.htm

Vitamin A comes from animal sources, such as eggs, meat, fortified milk, cheese, cream, liver, kidney, cod, and halibut fish oil. However, all of these sources -- except for skim milk that has been fortified with Vitamin A -- are high in saturated fat and cholesterol.

Sources of beta-carotene include:

• Bright yellow and orange fruits such as cantaloupe, pink grapefruit, and apricots
• 
  
• Vegetables such as carrots, pumpkin, sweet potatoes, and winter squash
• 
  
• Other sources of beta-carotene include broccoli, spinach, and most dark green, leafy vegetables.

My Note: By far the most important provitamin A carotenoid is beta-carotene; other provitamin A carotenoids are alpha-carotene and beta-cryptoxanthin. The body converts these plant pigments into vitamin A.

The more intense the color of a fruit or vegetable, the higher the beta-carotene content. Vegetable sources of beta-carotene are fat- and cholesterol-free.