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There are no miracle ingredients that can prevent coronavirus(Photo: Adobe. Do not use without permission|)

There is no diet that can prevent coronavirus, the British Dietetic Association (BDA) has said.

The organization, which represents dietitians across the UK, is asking people to stop spreading 'nutrition pseudoscience' about 'miracle supplements and foods that prevent infection'.

The Association reiterates that good hygiene practice remains the best means of avoiding infection.

The organization is concerned that people may be less likely to take proper precautions when it comes to distancing and hygiene if they keep hearing misinformation around nutrition.

The BDA says 'no specific food or supplement will prevent you catching COVID-19 / Coronavirus'. It adds that no individual nutrient, food or supplement is going to 'boost' your immune system beyond normal levels, though it confirms that 'eating a well-balanced diet can help ensure the normal functioning of the immune system'.

Those who are self-isolating - especially those showing symptoms - should try to maintain good nutrition and hydration, eating and drinking regularly, even if you have low appetite, and following the dietary recommendations made by your dietitian or other healthcare professional if you have specific nutrition needs.

Good nutrition and hydration are key for those self-isolating (Photo: Adobe. Do not use without permission)

"People sharing unevidenced nutrition solutions to COVID-19 may increase the risk that someone doesnt take proper hygiene and social distancing precautions. Its vital that we stop spreading this misinformation," Andy Burman, BDA CEO, said in a statement sent to Plant Based News.

"Our dietitians, like all health care staff, are working tirelessly at the moment to support the growing number of COVID-19 hospital admissions. Proper nutrition can support improved outcomes for patients in ICU, where we know those COVID-19 patients with the most acute need will be.

"As our members are preparing with their colleagues to support the coronavirus effort in any way they can, including re-deployment into the areas where support is most needed, they are also working hard out of hours to make sure the public has access to good nutritional advice and guidance.

"In these extraordinary times, when it may be more difficult for people with less-serious conditions to access direct dietetic help, we want to reach as many people as we can. Our public advice is here to support anyone who does not need to go into hospital or work directly with a clinician."

The BDA has created a comprehensive hub of nutrition information relating to the coronavirus pandemic. You can find it here

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There Is No Diet That Prevents Coronavirus, Warns British Dietetic Association - Plant Based News

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Menopause is a biological process marked by the cessation of menses and a natural decline in reproductive hormones in women. It can be accompanied by symptoms like hot flashes, sleep problems, and mood changes (1).

Modifying your diet under the guidance of a healthcare professional is a simple strategy that may help balance your hormone levels and alleviate certain symptoms of menopause.

In particular, the ketogenic diet is a high fat, very low carb diet thats often recommended to provide relief from menopause symptoms.

However, it may also be associated with several side effects and not a great fit for everyone.

This article reviews how the ketogenic diet may affect women with menopause.

The ketogenic diet may be associated with several benefits, specifically for menopause.

Menopause can cause several changes in hormone levels.

In addition to altering levels of sex hormones like estrogen and progesterone, menopause can decrease insulin sensitivity, which can impair your bodys ability to use insulin effectively (2).

Insulin is a hormone thats responsible for transporting sugar from your bloodstream to your cells, where it can be used as fuel (3).

Some research suggests that the ketogenic diet may improve insulin sensitivity to promote better blood sugar control (4).

One study found that following a ketogenic diet for 12 weeks improved insulin levels and insulin sensitivity in women with endometrial or ovarian cancer (5, 6, 7).

However, its unclear whether the diet could offer similar health benefits for menopausal women without these types of cancer.

Another review reported that reducing carb consumption may decrease insulin levels and improve hormonal imbalances, which could be especially beneficial for menopause (8).

Not only that, but studies also suggest that insulin resistance may be linked to a higher risk of hot flashes, which are a common side effect of menopause (9, 10).

Weight gain is a symptom of menopause thats often attributed to alterations in hormone levels and a slower metabolism.

In addition to experiencing a decrease in calorie needs during menopause, some women may undergo height loss, which could contribute to an increase in body mass index (BMI) (11).

Although research on the ketogenic diet specifically is limited, some studies have found that decreasing carb intake may help prevent weight gain associated with menopause.

For example, one study in over 88,000 women found that following a low carb diet was linked to a decreased risk of postmenopausal weight gain.

Conversely, following a low fat diet was tied to an increased risk of weight gain among participants (12).

However, its important to note that the low carb diet in this study was not as restrictive as the ketogenic diet in terms of limiting carb intake.

Many women experience increased hunger and cravings during the transition into menopause (13).

Several studies have found that the ketogenic diet may decrease hunger and appetite, which could be especially beneficial during menopause (14).

According to one study in 95 people, following the ketogenic diet for 9 weeks increased levels of glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1), which is a hormone that regulates appetite, in women (15).

Similarly, another small study noted that a low calorie ketogenic diet decreased appetite and levels of ghrelin, the hunger hormone (16).

However, more studies are needed to evaluate how the ketogenic diet may affect cravings and appetite in menopausal women specifically.

Some research suggests that the ketogenic diet may improve insulin sensitivity, prevent weight gain, and decrease appetite and cravings.

While the ketogenic diet may offer several benefits for women going through menopause, there are some side effects to consider.

First, research suggests that the ketogenic diet may increase levels of cortisol, which is a stress hormone (17).

High levels of cortisol can cause side effects like weakness, weight gain, high blood pressure, and bone loss (18).

Increased levels of cortisol can also increase levels of estrogen, a sex hormone that slowly starts to decline during menopause (19, 20).

This can cause a condition called estrogen dominance, meaning that your body has too much estrogen and not enough progesterone (another sex hormone) to help balance it out (21).

Although more research is needed in humans, one study in mice found that administering a high fat diet increased estrogen levels and weight gain, compared with a control group (22).

Excess levels of estrogen can decrease the production of thyroid hormones, which may cause side effects like low energy levels, constipation, and weight gain (23, 24).

This may be one reason why many women have difficulty maintaining weight loss in the long term on the ketogenic diet.

The ketogenic diet can also cause the keto flu, which is a term used to describe the set of symptoms that occur as your body transitions into ketosis, a metabolic state in which your body starts burning fat for fuel instead of sugar.

Furthermore, the keto flu could worsen certain symptoms of menopause, including fatigue, hair loss, sleep problems, and mood changes (25, 26).

Still, keto flu symptoms typically resolve within a few days to a few weeks and can be minimized by staying hydrated and getting plenty of electrolytes (25).

Keep in mind that the ketogenic diet is intended to be a short-term diet plan and should not be followed for extended periods.

Additionally, although the diet may result in temporary weight loss, many people often regain some weight back once they resume a normal diet (27).

Be sure to consult a healthcare professional before making any changes to your diet to prevent any adverse effects on your health and ensure that youre meeting your nutritional needs.

The ketogenic diet may increase levels of cortisol and estrogen, which can alter thyroid function and contribute to weight gain. The keto flu may also temporarily worsen certain symptoms of menopause, including fatigue, hair loss, and mood changes.

The ketogenic diet may offer benefits for women going through menopause, including increased insulin sensitivity, decreased weight gain, and reduced cravings.

However, it can also alter hormone levels, which could affect thyroid function and cause several adverse effects. Whats more, the keto flu may temporarily worsen symptoms of menopause during your bodys transition into ketosis.

Though the ketogenic diet may work for some women going through menopause, keep in mind that its not a one-size-fits-all solution for everyone.

Be sure to speak with your healthcare provider, set realistic expectations, listen to your body, and experiment to find what works for you.

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Keto and Menopause: What to Know - Healthline

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Flax Seeds (Photo Credits: Pixabay)

Who doesn't want to lose weight? Of course, nobody loves to be overweight and always find ways to shed weight. While on weight loss, foods you eat play a very important role. Having said that let us speak about flax seeds, which might help you to lose weight.Flax is grown for its seeds, which can be ground into flaxseed meal, pressed into oil and it is a fibre rich crop which can be bought into multiple uses. In this week, weight loss tip, we will tell you how you should eat flax seeds to lose weight and burn belly fat.Weight Loss Tip of the Week: How to Eat Chickpeas to Lose Weight.

Flax, also known as linseed, is a nutrient-dense crop which not only aids in weight loss but can also prove to be beneficial for your health. The tiny brown seed has a distinct flavour which is obtainedfrom the flax plant, whose fibre is used to produce linen. Flax seeds can also enhance digestion and improve heart health. Now without further delay let us have a look at the weight loss property of flax seeds.Sprouts For Weight Loss: All That You Should Know About Sprouting of Moong Beans And How They Help.

The main reason why flax seeds help in weight loss is the fibre-rich property. Foods rich in fibre, makes you feel full and facilitates slow digestion. This, in turn, reduces overeating and help curb hunger. Apart from this flax seeds are rich in omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids which get converted to prostaglandins once we ingest them. Prostaglandins help in reducing inflammation and also manage metabolism. Flax seeds are also low in sugar and starch which is again a plus point for an ingredient while considering it for weight loss. According to a study published in the National Institute of Health in the year 2017, flax seeds are a good source of lignins which aid in weight loss.

How to Eat Flax Seeds For Weight Loss

Flaxseeds are also rich in protein content, therefore they can even be added in a smoothie for a good post-workout meal. One tablespoon of flax seeds in a day should be enough to improve your health and aid in weight loss. Take guidance from your dietician for proper ways to eat flax seeds. It must also be noted that the overall diet and regular exercise are also necessary for weight loss.

(This article is written for an informative purpose and should not be substituted for medical advice. Kindly consult your doctor before trying any tips.)

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Weight Loss Tip of the Week: How to Eat Flax Seeds to Lose Weight (Watch Video) - LatestLY

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From mindless eating to not getting enough rest, Lauren Taylor speaks to experts about the common mistakes.

If you've been trying to shift some weight and have been doing all the right things - changing up your diet, getting more exercise in - it can be frustrating if you feel as if you've plateaued, or even put a bit back on.

Here are some common mistakes dieters make, according to experts.

1. You're eating 'diet' foods instead of whole foods

"'Detox' products won't work for weight loss," says dietitian Sophie Medlin. "Remember, if there was a drink or a supplement you could take that worked safely and effectively for weight loss, we wouldn't have an obesity epidemic."

She says to beware of brands and celebrities selling any 'miracle' weight-loss products.

On the subject of diet influencers, Medlin says the 'eat like me to look like me' ideology is deeply flawed. "We all have different genetics and lifestyles - we can't all look the same.

"Dietitians haven't been saying anything new for a very long time, because nutrition is about balance. It's not about cutting things out, it's not about making people feel guilty for eating normal food.

"I tend to tell people to base their diet around fruit and vegetables, lean protein, have some nuts and seeds and things like pulses."

2. You aren't eating mindfully

While you might have upped your exercise and switched to a healthier diet, how we eat is sometimes just as important as what we eat - especially if you're looking to shed a few pounds.

In our busy society, it's become the norm to eat meals in front of the TV, while simultaneously scrolling through our phones or replying to emails.

Georgie Murphy, a nutritionist at personalised vitamin service, Vitl (vitl.com) explains: "If while eating, our mind is distracted by deadlines and headlines, a cascade of physiological stress responses will put us in 'fight or flight' mode. Research suggests over time, this can negatively influence our appetite and eating behaviours towards obesogenic habits, such as comfort eating and bingeing."

Meanwhile, mindfulness - she says - has been shown to stimulate the parasympathetic nervous system (PSNS), critical for the state of 'rest and digest', "increasing communication between the brain and our gut, to support the physiological processes necessary for optimal digestion".

3. You're overestimating the impact of working out

Although exercise can help you lose weight - and it's vital for overall health - personal trainer from The Training Room, Mark Fox, says many people believe it's the only way to lose weight.

"They think if they exercise constantly and burn more calories, they'll eventually achieve their ideal weight. Unfortunately, what people don't realise is that the more they exercise, the more their appetite will increase, to compensate for the increased energy required. As the saying goes, 'You can't out-exercise a poor diet'."

Exercise, he says, will certainly help you lose weight, "but you still have to work on your calorie intake, improving the quality of foods and reducing alcohol".

4. You're forgetting about moving - outside of the gym

Sure, you might be spending half an hour or even an hour exercising every day, but if you're sitting for the other 15, you won't be giving yourself the best chance of weight loss.

"A better approach is to slightly increase your energy expenditure through a mixture of exercise and NEAT (none-exercise activity thermogenesis)," says Fox, "which is the energy expended from daily, non-sports-like activities, such as walking instead of driving to work, or cleaning the house.

"This way, your body is less likely to significantly increase your appetite and hunger, helping you stick to your nutrition plan."

5. You're only doing cardio

Cardio - like running, cycling and hiking - is amazing; it burns calories, it improves your heart health, it's important for aerobic fitness and it makes you feel great. But if you're only doing cardio to lose weight, you could be missing a trick, says Fox.

"Resistance (strength) training tends to burn fewer calories as you perform it, so many people ignore its ability to assist in weight loss. What they don't realise, is that if you build more muscle, your body requires more calories to maintain that muscle. This results in a higher calorie burn each day, even at complete rest." In other words, with a bit more muscle, you'll be burning more calories even when lazing on the sofa.

"A combination of the two [cardio and resistance] provides better results," he says.

6. You're binge-eating healthy food

Switching to a more nutritious diet, packed with fresh fruit, veg, nuts, beans, pulses and lean protein, is a hugely positive step towards better health, but just make sure all your hard work isn't being undone by unwittingly consuming more calories than you mean to.

"If the goal is weight loss, moderation is important," says Murphy. "For example, being mindful of portion size of healthy foods such as nuts and avocados, can go a long way in supporting your weight-loss regime."

7. You aren't sleeping enough

Experts believe there is some link between overeating when you've under slept. "Sleep regulates two hormones called ghrelin and leptin that are essential in appetite control. Sleep deprivation has been shown to decrease leptin and increase ghrelin, leading to an increase in overall hunger. Therefore, a better night's sleep may support you to eat wisely and avoid mindless grazing," Murphy says.

Plus, if you're increasing your exercise, your muscles need to properly rest and repair overnight. Getting a solid eight hours might be the simplest weight loss advice out there.

Always speak to your GP before undergoing any new weight-loss programme.

Read more from the original source:
Food: Seven reasons you're not losing weight - HeraldScotland

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A recent new trend focusses on the potential health benefits of drinking coffee with lemon.

Proponents claim that the mix helps melt off fat and relieves headaches and diarrhea.

Since coffee and lemon each have multiple proven health effects, you may wonder whether drinking the two together offers any additional benefits.

This article reviews the evidence on coffee with lemon to either validate or debunk the claims.

Coffee and lemons are two common ingredients found in almost every kitchen.

Coffee one of the most consumed beverages worldwide is made by brewing roasted coffee beans (1).

In fact, about 75% of Americans report drinking it daily, and its sought after mainly due to its caffeine content, which stimulates the central nervous system and increases alertness and mood (1, 2, 3).

On the other hand, lemons are a fruit that belongs to the genus Citrus. Theyre the third most produced citrus fruit in the world, after oranges and mandarins (4).

Theyre a great source of vitamin C and antioxidants along with many other beneficial plant compounds which is why they have been used for centuries for their medicinal properties (4).

The coffee with lemon trend suggests mixing 1 cup (240 mL) of coffee with the juice of 1 lemon.

While some may think that its an unusual combination, others believe that the benefits outweigh the odd flavor although science may disagree.

Coffee and lemon are two common ingredients with beneficial effects on your health. While some believe that mixing the two offers impressive benefits, science may disagree.

Both coffee and lemons have many proven health benefits, which are predominantly associated with their high content of antioxidants. These are molecules that protect your body from the harmful effects of excessive amounts of free radicals (5).

Heres an overview of the benefits that each has to offer.

Roasted coffee beans contain over 1,000 bioactive compounds, but caffeine and chlorogenic acid (CGA) stand out as key active compounds with antioxidant capacity (6).

The two have been shown to activate pathways that protect against cancer growth, linking coffee to a reduced risk of several types of cancer, including liver, prostate, endometrial, breast, gastrointestinal, and colorectal cancer (6, 7, 8, 9).

Additionally, coffee has been associated with a reduced risk of type 2 diabetes, heart and liver disease, and depression, as well as Alzheimers and Parkinsons disease (1, 6, 7, 10).

Lastly, its caffeine content is responsible for the drinks energy-boosting effect, positive influence on endurance exercise performance, and ability to increase the number of calories you burn, resulting in weight loss (3, 11, 12, 13).

Lemons are a great source of vitamin C and flavonoids, both of which act as powerful antioxidants (14).

Both vitamin C and citrus flavonoids have been linked to a lower risk of specific cancers namely esophagus, stomach, pancreas, and breast cancer (15, 16, 17, 18, 19).

Also, both compounds offer protection against heart disease, while vitamin C protects your immune system and helps fight infections (15, 19, 20, 21).

As you can see, coffee and lemons offer a wide range of benefits that protect your body from chronic ailments. Still, mixing the two doesnt necessarily translate to a more potent drink.

Coffee and lemons contain plant beneficial compounds with cancer-fighting properties. They may also protect you against chronic conditions, such as heart disease and diabetes.

There are four main claims about the benefits of drinking coffee with lemon.

This is what science has to say about them.

This notion is prevalent among various trends that involve the use of lemon, but ultimately, neither lemon nor coffee can melt off fat.

The only way to get rid of unwanted fat is either by consuming fewer calories or burning more of them. Thus, this claim is false.

However, studies show that coffee may help you lose some weight, which is why some people may experience a slight weight reduction upon consuming the drink.

Recent research has found that caffeine may stimulate brown adipose tissue (BAT), a type of metabolically active fatty tissue that decreases with age and can metabolize carbs and fats (12).

One test-tube and human study determined that caffeine from a standard 8-ounce (240-mL) cup of coffee can boost BAT activity, causing an increase in metabolic rate that leads to weight loss (12).

Similarly, older studies from the 1980s and 1990s explain that caffeine may increase your metabolic rate during the 3 hours after ingesting it, upping your burned calories up to 811% meaning that you may burn an extra 79150 calories a day (22, 23, 24).

That said, the potential weight loss effect may be due to the caffeine in coffee, not the mixture of coffee with lemon.

Headaches and migraines have been ranked worldwide as major contributors to disability in those under 50 years old (25).

Hence, its common to find multiple home remedies for their treatment. Still, research is very divided when it comes to the use of coffee for this purpose.

One hypothesis suggests that the caffeine in coffee has a vasoconstrictor effect meaning that it tightens your blood vessels which reduces blood flow toward your head and relieves the pain (26).

Research also suggests that caffeine can amplify the effects of medication used for headaches and migraines (26, 27, 28).

Yet, another hypothesis believes that caffeine may act as a headache trigger for some, along with other beverages and foods, such as chocolate, alcohol, and citrus fruits like lemons (25).

Therefore, drinking coffee with lemon may either relieve or worsen a headache. And if it does help reduce pain, it would be again due to the caffeine in coffee, not the coffee and lemon drink itself.

This remedy calls for eating ground coffee with lemon instead of drinking it.

Still, theres currently no evidence to support the use of lemon to treat diarrhea, and coffee stimulates your colon, which increases your need to poop (29).

Additionally, diarrhea causes a significant loss of fluids that can lead to dehydration, which coffees diuretic effect may worsen (30, 31).

Research suggests that both coffee and lemons antioxidant content may provide skin benefits, so there seems to be a shred of truth behind this claim.

On one hand, coffees CGA content is believed to improve blood flow and hydration in the skin.

Studies show that its consumption may reduce skin scaliness, improve smoothness, and reduce the deterioration of the skin barrier (32, 33, 34).

On the other hand, lemons vitamin C content may stimulate the production of collagen a protein that provides your skin with strength and elasticity and reduce skin damage caused by free radicals that originate from sun exposure (15, 35, 36).

However, you may still take advantage of these benefits by consuming coffee and lemons separately, as no evidence suggests that the effect is only exerted when the two are mixed.

Coffee seems to be responsible for most of the purported benefits of drinking coffee with lemon, though lemons also play an important role in the skin care claims. Yet, no evidence suggests that they should be consumed together for greater benefits.

As is the case with their benefits, the downsides of drinking coffee with lemon are due to the drawbacks of each ingredient.

For instance, evidence suggests that heavy coffee drinkers may become addicted to caffeine, which is recognized by the World Health Organization (WHO) as a clinical disorder (37).

Further studies also indicate that regular caffeine intake is linked to sleep disturbances and associated daytime sleepiness, as well as an increased risk of pregnancy loss (7, 38).

As for lemons, while generally uncommon, some people may be allergic to citrus fruits juice, seeds, or peels (39).

While coffee and lemon are two highly consumed ingredients, coffee may impair sleep, cause caffeine addiction, and increase the risk of pregnancy loss. Meanwhile, lemons may cause allergies in rare cases.

Coffee and lemons offer a wide range of health benefits, mostly due to their antioxidant contents.

However, theres no evidence to support the claim that drinking coffee with lemon relieves diarrhea or causes fat to melt away.

As for the rest of the mixtures proclaimed benefits, they can be obtained by consuming coffee or lemon juice separately. Thus, theres no need to mix the two if you dont feel like it.

Here is the original post:
Coffee with Lemon: Are There Any Benefits? - Healthline

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None of us know how to survive a pandemic the "right" way.

COVID-19 is making me hungry.

No, that's not a symptom of coronavirus infection. As far as I know, I don't have it. It's just the stress.

I can't stop stress-eating, and I'm sure I'm going to gain weight during my attempts at social distancing and self-quarantine. I assume that our "stay-at-home" order, which requires all Californians to "shelter in place" unless taking care of essential services, could last months.

I also assume I will put on at least five pounds. When I feel anxiety rising inside me, my first instinct is to try to make it go away by eating something comforting.

I'm also essentially locked down in my house with my family, isolated from my friends and the people I usually see around town. I can't go to pilates or grab my favorite black bean burger. I can't even walk the track while my son has baseball practice. The school is closed. Everything feels deserted.

Before coronavirus, I spent my mornings working or at baby classes with my little one, and every afternoon shuttling my big kids to activities or appointments. I'm busy from morning to night, like most parents.

Now my kids aren't in school and we've asked our babysitter, who has been with our family for fifteen years, not to come for a while. We are home, alone, all the time; me, a teenager, a tween, and a toddler.

RELATED: Facts About The Coronavirus All Parents Should Know & The Best Way To Protect Your Kids

I believe in the necessity of lockdowns and social distancing, but it's stressful living with such a big change of routine in addition to the justifiable fear of how this disease could affect our nation, particularly the elderly and those who cannot work from home like my husband, who works in in TV news, and those working on the front lines of the medical community and service industries.

No matter your circumstances, I think we can all relate to the stress our nation is under. We can probably all relate to some of the coronavirus jokes and memes floating out there, too.

When a friend shared the quarantine joke below, I laughed. I read it as I was eating a cupcake.

credit: unknown

It shows a woman with a typical Barbie doll-like figure looking into the fridge. It says "March 11th". The next photo is supposed to be the same woman with a curvier, rounder body in the same position on April 3rd. She got bigger.

But the more I thought about this meme, I realized that most people see this as a negative. They don't want to gain weight. I laughed because I relate to having my head in the fridge (though maybe not the sexy outfit and high heels) but I don't think the woman on the right looks bad.

After years of working on my relationship with my body and food. I no longer look at the woman on the right as less attractive. Yes, she's bigger, but she's still sexy. That's because I've done a ton of work to try to de-program myself from the anti-fat bias around me.

But that feeling, linked with shame and self-blame, is not good for me. I realized that worrying about gaining weight and feeling ashamed of not having what I perceive as "self-control" over my appetite is only making things worse.

Never, in our entire lives or even in the lives of my parents, who are seventy and eighty years old has a pandemic like this struck. We've never been asked, as a nation, to self-quarantine. Our schools have never been shut down for months at a time to enforce social distancing and isolation.

No matter what we're doing, we probably feel like we're failing. We aren't eating the right foods or the right amount. Our kids are playing too many video games or watching too much YouTube. They're not getting enough exercise or fresh air. They're making messes that we don't have the energy to clean up.

RELATED: How To Talk To Kids About Coronavirus

Here's what I want you to know:

You're not failing. I'm not failing. We are doing our best, even if that best is sloppy, lazy, bleary-eyed, glazed-out, crying, or eating a lot of comfort food.

As long as you're taking care of your and your kids' basic needs, you are doing OK for now.

Remember that even if you gain weight, that's not necessarily a bad thing.

Fat is not a bad thing. Being bigger is not a bad thing.

I know that the beauty and diet industries have spent billions of dollars yearly throughout our entire lives trying to convince us that fat can't be beautiful or healthy. But fat is beautiful, just as skinny is. And gaining weight or being fat doesn't necessarily mean you are unhealthy.

Our bodies are good enough. Your body is good enough. Right now you are good enough and you will be good enough at five or ten or however many pounds more or less than you weigh right now.

This fatphobic society has put a lot of shamey crap on us our whole lives and now is as good a time as any to start working on letting that go. Feed yourself. Take a deep breath. Enjoy your life the best you can, even if it sucks or feels confined right now.

RELATED: 10 Shameful Myths About Fat Women & Obesity You've Probably Always Believed Were True

Before anyone interjects with, "But it's not healthy to eat junk food all day long!" let me say this: Of course it's not! You should strive to eat a balanced diet with as many plant-based sources of nutrition you can manage. Science has proven time and again that this is the healthiest way to eat.

But living through your very first pandemic is probably not the right time to enforce strict rules or start a new heart-healthy diet unless, of course, your diet is prescribed by your doctor.

And it's certainly not a good time to go on a starvation diet to try to lose weight. In fact, it is pretty much never a good time to starve yourself in order to lose weight.

As time goes on, it may also get harder to eat an ideal diet as your food stash and grocery store shelves grow more sparse (though there's a lot of vegan food left, apparently).

To feel better over all, it is recommended that we exercise every day if possible. Even in lockdown, most cities allow people to take hikes and walks if they keep at least six feet away from others. There are lots of online videos with yoga or weights or jumping jacks or whatever you're into. Doctors also say we should try to sleep at least 8-to-10 hours per night.

These things can help keep our immune systems strong by maintaining overall health. They also help us manage stress levels, which is probably the most important thing right now. But, above all, we need to be graceful and compassionate with ourselves.

The only area that's not negotiable is to regularly wash our hands with soap and water for 20 seconds, keep a safe social distance from others, and use alcohol-based hand sanitizer when we can't wash hands adequately. These are three things that are absolutely necessary to help protect ourselves and others during this coronavirus outbreak.

The rest? Let's try to take it easy on ourselves and others.

RELATED: Common Coronavirus Myths & COVID-19 Fake Facts: Debunked

There are going to be people who respond to this stress by losing their appetite. They'll likely come out of this nightmare weighing less. Others will channel their inner macrobiotic domestic goddess (or god) and start baking no-sugar muffins from the fiber left over in their veggie juicer. I love those people. I am not one of them, but I love them.

I also love the people who watch Bravo and eat Chef Boyardee ravioli and Hostess cupcakes.

I love the people will emerge from this hellscape with new fat and new curves and new lumps and bumps and I will love every lump and bump on their bodies and on my own. And I will love the bony butts of my friends who respond differently.

And when I see all of you on the other side of this, I'm not going to care what your body looks like or what you did while you were stuck at home. I'm just going to be glad we're both still around to enjoy the rest of this life together.

RELATED: How It Feels To Be A Flight Attendant During The Coronavirus Pandemic

Joanna Schroeder is a feminist writer and media critic whose writing has appeared in The New York Times and on sites like Time, Redbook, Cosmopolitan, BuzzFeed, Babble, Everyday Feminism, Vox, and more. She's also a very busy mother of a toddler, a tween and a teen. Follow Joanna on Twitter for more.

Link:
It's OK To Stress-Eat & Gain Weight When You're In Coronavirus Lockdown - YourTango

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Low-calorie sweeteners are supposed to be a healthy way to still enjoy the flavors we love. When these ingredients first burst on the scene many years ago they seemed almost too good to be true, and those feelings were vindicated when several recent studies concluded that low-cal sweeteners disrupt our metabolisms and even promote diabetes and obesity.

Talk about a role reversal. These products are supposed to help people lose weight.

However, other recent research projects have come to conflicting conclusions; that food and drinks containing low-cal sweeteners are perfectly fine for our metabolisms and in all likelihood are a beneficial aid in the pursuit of weight loss.

So, which one is it? A team of Yale researchers may finally put an end to the debate. Well, sort of.

This new piece of Yale researchers found that people who regularly drank beverages containing the low-calorie sweetener sucralose did, in fact, develop problematic metabolic and neural responses. Sucralose can be found in a wide variety of diet and low-cal soft drinks, candy bars, breakfast bars, and other food products. Splenda is produced using sucralose.

But, heres the catch: these problematic reactions only occurred in participants if a carbohydrate in the form of a tasteless sugar had been added to their low-cal beverage. Conversely, participants who just drank the low-cal beverage or even a sugary drink didnt experience any of the aforementioned metabolic or neural changes.

To put it in less scientific terms, it appears that low-cal sweeteners are only harmful when paired with some carbs. So, the next time you feel like a Diet Coke, just dont drink it while eating some pasta.

The subjects had seven low-calorie drinks, each containing the equivalent of two packages of Splenda, over two weeks, says senior author Dana Small, professor of psychiatry and psychology and director of the Modern Diet and Physiology Research Center, in a press release. When the drink was consumed with just the low-calorie sweetener, no changes were observed; however, when this same amount of low-calorie sweetener was consumed with a carbohydrate added to the drink, sugar metabolism and brain response to sugar became impaired.

The research team had originally wanted to test the notion that consuming low-cal sweeteners results in an uncoupling of ones sweet taste perceptions and energy levels. Essentially, this theory suggests that regularly consuming low-cal sweetened products results in ones body developing a diminished physiological response to even real sugar; no more sugar rushes or mood boosts. This phenomenon could conceivably lead to an overall more lethargic lifestyle, contributing to weight gain, diabetes, and glucose intolerance.

These results, though, disprove that hypothesis. Instead, pointing to the mixture of low-cal products and carbs resulting in metabolic impairment.

The bottom line is that, at least in small quantities, individuals can safely drink a diet soda, but they shouldnt add French fries, concludes Small. This is important information, particularly for people with diabetes who shouldnt consume sugars.

While this study provides some answers as to why previous studies have come to varying conclusions on the effects of low-cal sweeteners, its findings also raise a number of new questions. Why does the pairing of carbs & low-cal sweeteners result in detrimental metabolic changes? What role do our brains and neurons play in all this? We seriously shouldnt eat fries with diet soda anymore?

If theres one definite conclusion that can be drawn from all of this, its that manufacturers, scientists, and consumers alike dont have a full understanding of how products like Splenda interact with ones body chemistry.

The full study can be found here, published in Cell Metabolism.

The rest is here:
Yale researchers say artificial sweeteners can make healthy people sick if they are paired with this - Ladders

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Dear Savvy Senior,

Do kidney problems run in families? My mother died from kidney failure 10 years ago at age 74 but didnt know she had a kidney problem until it was too late.

Just Turned 60

Dear 60,

Anyone who has a family history of kidney disease, or who has high blood pressure or diabetes is at increased risk and needs to have their kidneys tested.

According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, around 37 million U.S adults have chronic kidney disease (when the kidneys cant properly do their job of cleaning toxins and wastes from the blood), and millions more are at risk of developing it, yet most people dont realize it. Thats because kidney disease develops very slowly over many years before any symptoms arise. But left untreated, the disease can eventually require people to spend hours hooked up to a dialysis machine or get a kidney transplant. Even mild kidney problems can double a persons risk of heart attack and stroke, as well as cause anemia and bone disease.

The reason kidney disease has become so widespread today is because of the rise of obesity, type-2 diabetes and high blood pressure which all strain the kidneys.

Another factor is the increasing number of people who take multiple medications, which can overtax the organs. People over age 60 are especially vulnerable both because they tend to take more drugs, and because kidney function normally declines somewhat with age.

Because kidney disease has no early symptoms, the only way to catch it before it advances is to have a simple blood and urine test by your doctor. So, anyone that has diabetes, high blood pressure or heart disease, a family history of kidney disease, or is age 60 or older needs to get tested. African, Hispanic, Asian and Indian Americans along with Pacific Islanders are also at increased risk.

If youre diagnosed with kidney disease you need to know that theres no cure, but there are steps you can take to help contain the damage, including:

Control your blood pressure: If you have high blood pressure, get it under 130/80. If you need medication to do it, ACE inhibitors and ARBs are good choices because of their proven ability to protect the kidneys.

Control your diabetes: If you have diabetes, keep your blood sugar as close to normal as possible.

Change your diet: This usually means reducing the amount of protein and phosphorus you eat and cutting back on sodium and possibly potassium. Your doctor can help you determine an appropriate eating plan, or you may want to talk to a dietitian.

Watch your meds: Dozens of commonly used drugs can damage the kidneys, especially when taken in high doses over long periods most notably NSAIDs like ibuprofen and naproxen. Herbal supplements can also be very dangerous. Talk to your doctor about all the prescription, over the counter and herbal products you take to identify potential problems and find alternatives.

Exercise and lose weight: If youre overweight and inactive, start an aerobic fitness routine (walk, swim, cycle, etc.) that gets your heart pumping. This will help lower blood pressure, control diabetes and help you lose excess weight all of which will help your kidneys.

Quit smoking: If you smoke, quit. Heart disease becomes a much greater risk to the kidneys if your smoke. Smoking also doubles the rate of progression to end-stage renal failure.

Limit alcohol intake: Drinking too much alcohol can worsen kidney disease too, so talk to your doctor to see if its safe for you to drink, and if so, limit yourself to no more than one drink per day.

Send your senior questions to: Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070, or visit SavvySenior.org. Jim Miller is a contributor to the NBC Today show and author of The Savvy Senior book.

Original post:
Savvy Senior: How to prevent the silent epidemic of kidney disease - Daily Herald

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SYDNEY Its arguably more popular in Australia than any other country, so its no surprise that horse racing is continuing minus the spectators despite the increasing travel and other restrictions amid the coronavirus pandemic.

The multi-billion dollar racing industry employs 250,000 part- and full-time workers in Australia, where there are more than 360 thoroughbred tracks. Thats roughly one for every 68,000 people, a world-leading ratio by a considerable margin.

Australia boasts some of the worlds richest races. The Melbourne Cup the race that stops a nation is one of the countrys strongest cultural institutions. Sydney hosts The Everest, the $8.6 million sprint. It also has the most lucrative race for two-year-olds, the Golden Slipper, to be run this Saturday, in front of empty grandstands. Rosehill Racecourse would usually be crowded for this.

At least racing can exist without on-location spectators, with devotees able to watch and wager from home. And thats been the only option since measures were brought in last week limiting race days to participants only: jockeys, trainers, racetrack officials, media, and workers such as farriers and ambulance personnel.

The virus outbreak has coincided with some of the biggest events of the southern hemisphere autumn carnivals in Australias two largest cities of Melbourne and Sydney. The Golden Slipper day, for instance, features five Group 1 (or Grade 1) races.

Aside from the removal of race day atmosphere, participants are having to become creative to do what they love in the time of coronavirus. Particularly some of those people who now need looking after the most if racing is to continue the jockeys.

They are already being kept apart from other industry participants on course, but more and stricter measures are set to follow.

Melbourne will host a Group 1 sprint Friday night, the William Reid Stakes. Usually, some Sydney-based jockeys would fly to Melbourne for the night and return to Sydney the next morning for Golden Slipper day.

But racing officials have banned riders from shuttling between states on commercial flights for fear they will catch the virus.

So prominent jockey Hugh Bowman the regular rider of the former top-ranked Winx and a fellow Sydney jockey Tommy Berry, set out by car on Thursday for the 545-mile (877-kilometer) drive to Melbourne.

Completing the 10-hour drive to return for Sydneys big Saturday meeting would have been trickier. Luckily, a handful of prominent Melbourne-based jockeys taking rides in Sydney have chartered a private jet to dodge the commercial flight ban. Melbourne racing officials have helped by rescheduling the William Reid Stakes to run an hour earlier than planned, so the jockeys flight can arrive at Sydney airport before its usual night-time curfew.

Racing officials felt if we took those steps and followed the protocols we can keep our industry going, the jockey organizing the charter flight, Craig Williams, told local media. Im happy to do what were told so we can keep racing.

Increased curbs on jockey movement are almost certain to be imposed.

Anthony Darmanin is in different predicament. He will ride Mystic Journey in the William Reid at 8:30 p.m, then head to Melbourne airport hoping to catch the last flight home to Tasmania state at 9:40 p.m. Thats because Tasmania state has instituted restrictions starting midnight Friday forcing anyone entering the southern island state to self-quarantine for 14 days. The drive to the airport should take only 15 minutes, but with check-in time 30 minutes before departure, hell be cutting it fine.

Its going to be an intense hour but hopefully it all works out, Darmanin told Racing.com.

Jockeys have also pushed for minimum weights in races to be raised immediately, so some of them will not have to waste or lose weight quickly as much as usual to make the handicap levels allocated to their horses. Theyre concerned their regular process of shedding weight by dieting or in saunas will at this time increase the chances of leaving their immune systems susceptible to the coronavirus.

Minimums have duly been raised 2.2 pounds (one kilogram) in New South Wales state, of which Sydney is the capital. Across the sea in New Zealand, where racing is also extremely popular, weights have been raised twice that much.

But, showing the challenges racing still faces amid COVID-19 such as trying to ensure riders stay 1.5 meters (5-feet) away from each other in crowded jockeys dressing rooms raising weights is not universally popular. One drawback is horses with heavier handicaps will need to carry still more.

Other measures to counter the coronavirus threat involve extra hygiene. On Golden Slipper day, jockeys will have to shower for five minutes on arrival and before departure, with their equipment disinfected between races.

Jockeys will have their temperatures checked on arrival at racecourses. This could be complicated by the regular practice of trying to lose weight late, with the heating up and the windows closed in the car. Accordingly, if a jockeys temperature is high, he or she will be checked again 15 minutes later before a decision is reached on their fitness for racing.

Leading Sydney jockey Nash Rawiller summed up the unusual impacts of the virus on the industry.

It feels a bit different, he told the Sydney Morning Herald, but if it is the way we keep going, we just have to do it.

Follow this link:
Still in the saddle: Australian racing goes on amid pandemic - NBC Sports - Misc.

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1. Dry Grapes: Good For Weight Loss2. Dry Grapes: Improves Overall Organ And Bone Health3. Stay Young With Dry Grapes4. Winks And Smiles Of Dry Grapes5. Reduce Stress With Dry Grapes6. FAQ:

For all those motivated to lose weight, turn to dry grapes for some fat loss. One of the main difficulties that arise for anyone trying to lose weightis not knowing how to stimulate our body to burn those fat cells. Dry grapes will not only help you in burning fats but will also help keep your energy levels up due to the glucose content in it. Hence, in a lot of weight loss journeys, when there is a diet restriction, one often tends to feel tired and low. Including these nuggets in your diet will make sure that you are never depleted of your energy!

Tip: When you are having any cereal, oats, muesli or cornflakes, add few dry grapes in it to satiate your sweet tooth.

Tip: Make a small tiffin for dry grapes to keep at work to make sure you have at least a few every day.

They say you are what you eat. Well, luckily none of us looks like french fries but our skin, the traitor, does show the entire world exactly what you eat. So if you eat oily food, your skin might erupt with acne. If you eat healthy food, your skin will clear up. Eating dry grapes will improve the elasticity and overall texture of your skin. You can even combat hair loss with these nuggets as it promotes hair health by stimulating hair follicles. Now nothing can stop you from flaunting those luscious locks of yours.

Tip: You can add dry grapes in smoothies instead of sugar.

Hate going to the dentist? Then, girl, you need to eat those dry grapes. They help prevent tooth decay and reduce cavities by suppressing oral bacteria that cause cavities and gum disease. Not only are they beneficial for yourpearly teeth but also your iridescent eyes. Being rich in Vitamin A, they help protect your eyes, reducing the onset of any vision-related discomfort.

Tip: While making aprotein bar, add dry grapes as one of the ingredients.

Tip: Next time, when you want to stress eat, have a few dry grapes. Replacing oily foods with healthy alternatives will help you move towards having a healthy lifestyle.

There is no such limit as such when it comes to eating dry grapes. You can have a handful a day as long as you have a balanced diet. However, if you are consuming a lot of sugar or a lot of fruits, then you might want to cut down on your dry grapes intake.

First, blend dates with two tablespoons of water in a mixture as they will be the binding agent for your bar. Next, roast in a pan all the dry fruits, seeds and nuts that you would like in your bar. These can be almond, walnuts, pumpkin seeds, flaxseeds or any other dry fruits or seeds you would like to add in your bar.

In another pan, start heating the paste (dates) from the blender on a low flame. Make sure you keep stirring this paste to avoid it getting stuck or burnt. It will be ideal to use a pan with a thick base for your bars. As the paste thickens, add your roasted dry fruits and seeds along with dry grapes to this mixture along with a spoon of honey and a pinch of salt. In some time, you will see that they have started binding together, and it is now difficult to stir. This will be the ideal time to take it off the pan. Ready a baking tray with a butter paper. Empty the mixture on to this tray and spread it evenly so that it covers the dish. Let it cool for two hours or so. Once it has cooled and solidified, cut it in perpendicular lines and voila! Your energy bars are ready for you!

Go here to read the rest:
Dry Grapes Benefits and Uses for Health, Skin and Hair - Femina

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