Carbohydrate Restriction May Slow Prostate Tumor Growth

“Restricting carbohydrates, regardless of weight loss, appears to slow the growth of prostate tumors, according to an animal study being published this week by researchers in the Duke Prostate Center.” read more…

Omega Fatty Acid Balance Can Alter Immunity And Gene Expression

“For the past century, changes in the Western diet have altered the consumption of omega-6 fatty acids (w6, found in meat and vegetable oils) compared with omega-3 fatty acids (w3, found in flax and fish oil). Many studies seem to indicate this shift has brought about an increased risk of inflammation (associated with autoimmunity and allergy), and now using a controlled diet study with human volunteers, researchers may have teased out a biological basis for these reported changes.” read more…

Poultry Nutritionists Remove Pollutants From Watersheds By Adding Enzyme To Chicken Feed

“Poultry nutritionists add an enzyme called phytase to chicken feed in an effort to decrease the amount of phosphorus that passes through them undigested.” read more…

Food Chemists Slice Up Healthier Pizza

“Food chemists have shown that making a pizza crust with whole wheat flour and cooking it longer releases more antioxidants. These chronic disease-fighting compounds increased by 82 percent when baked at a higher temperature, by 60 percent when baked twice as long and doubled when the dough was left to rise an extra day.” read more…

Vitamin E and Pregnancy

Function in Pregnancy: Vitamin E is necessary for both mother and baby’s lung function, providing protection against asthma. It establishes proper formation and function of the reproductive system and ensures healthy muscle and red blood cell function. Vitamin E’s antioxidants give protection from cellular damage, and it enhances production of collagen, helping to prevent stretch marks.

Symptoms of deficiency: Muscle weakness, age spots, degeneration of nerves in hands and feet leading to pain, tingling or loss of sensation, night blindness, lack of normal reflexes, loss of coordination.

Effects of deficiency on mother and baby: Infertility, rupture of red blood cells, muscular wasting, abnormal fat deposits, decreased birthweight, may increase risk of premature birth.

Sources (Each choice provides ~33% of your daily Vitamin E, pick three):

• 1/4 cup almonds
• 1/2 cup hazelnuts
• 2 Tablespoons shelled sunflower seeds
• 2 Tablespoons roasted or soaked almond butter
• 4 Tablespoons peanut butter
• 1 Tablespoon unrefined red palm oil
• 1 1/2 Tablespoons raw avocado oil
• 1 large avocado
• 1/4 teaspoon cold-pressed wheat germ oil

Vitamin C + Bioflavonoids and Pregnancy

Function in Pregnancy: Maintaining connective tissue, healing wounds and fractures, strengthening blood vessels, supporting the immune system, and aiding iron absorption. Because of vitamin C’s role in maintaining blood glucose, a diet heavy in carbohydrates will need to be augmented with more vitamin C.

Symptoms of deficiency: Bleeding gums, mouth ulcers, loose teeth, nose bleeds, swollen or painful joints, bruising, slow healing wounds, impaired digestion, poor resistance to infection.

Effects of deficiency on mother and baby: Growth, particularly of baby’s bones, may be restricted. Development of teeth and gums will also be poor. Reduced breast milk production.

Sources (Each choice provides ~50% of your daily Vitamin C, choose two):

• 1 large kiwi fruit
• 1 guava
• 1/2 red or yellow bell pepper
• 1/2 cup chopped parsley
• 1 whole green bell pepper
• 2 cups whole pod sugar snap peas
• 1 large orange
• 1 medium grapefruit
• 2 cups raw watercress
• 1 cup strawberry halves
• 2 cups fresh raspberries
• 1 cup fresh pineapple chunks
• 6 kumquats
• 1/2 cup lemon juice
• 1 cup diced cantaloupe
• 1 large mango
• 2 cups fresh blackberries
• 1 cup cubed papaya
• 1 cup passion-fruit pulp
• 2 cups diced honeydew melon
• 2 cups chopped tomatoes
• 2 persimmons

The New ‘Epigenetics:’ Poor Nutrition In The Womb Causes Permanent Genetic Changes In Offspring

“…You are what your mother did not eat during pregnancy. In the research report, scientists from the University of Utah show that rat fetuses receiving poor nutrition in the womb become genetically primed to be born into an environment lacking proper nutrition.” read more…

Snacking On Sweets During Pregnancy May Lead To The Birth Of A Heavier Baby With An Increased Risk Of Childhood Obesity

“Mothers who snack on high GI (Glycaemic Index) foods like chocolate and white bread during later pregnancy may give birth to heavier babies with a greater risk of childhood obesity, according to new research published in the British Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology.” read more…

Low Dose Of Caffeine When Pregnant May Damage Heart Of Offspring For A Lifetime

“A new study shows that the equivalent of one dose of caffeine (just two cups of coffee) ingested during pregnancy may be enough to affect fetal heart development and then reduce heart function over the entire lifespan of the child.” read more…

Cannibalistic Rattlesnakes Eat Dead Offspring

“Every mom knows that pregnancy and birth really sap your energy. To get some back, many rattlesnake mothers will eat some of their non-surviving offspring, a new study finds.” read more…