Pro-Pickles

Tomorrow, November 14th, is National Pickle Day! In the U.S., the first thing that comes to mind for pickled foods is, well, pickles! Dill, Kosher, Polish, Gherkin, Bread and Butter, Cornichon or any other varieties of pickles are celebrated on this day! The pickles as we know them are cucumbers that are soaked in a brine of vinegar, salt, water, and spices. The term pickle comes from the Dutch word ‘pekel’, meaning brine. In the United States, the word pickle typically refers to a pickled cucumber. However, just about any fruit or vegetable can be pickled, such as cabbage, beets, or asparagus.

Did you know that pickled foods are actually very good for you? They have natural probiotics from the fermentation process. Studies show that fermented foods like pickles, sauerkraut, and kimchi are loaded with gut health-promoting probiotics. Probiotics are made up of good bacteria that helps keep your body healthy and working well. The main job of probiotics, or good bacteria, is to maintain a healthy balance in your body. Think of it as keeping your body in neutral. When you are sick, bad bacteria enters your body and increases in number. This knocks your body out of balance. Good bacteria works to fight off the bad bacteria and restore the balance within your body, making you feel better. Good bacteria keeps you healthy by supporting your immune function and controlling inflammation.

Fermentation produces probiotic bacteria as a byproduct of the process, which are beneficial for diversifying gut flora and bolstering your health in numerous ways. Research suggests that probiotics may promote clearer skin, better immune function, increased gastrointestinal health, and could even reduce depression. The fermentation process ups good bacteria while getting rid of the bad, which is why it’s so prevalent in many traditional food preparation techniques stemming from a time without refrigeration.

Who knew that pickles are much more than just a crunchy snack and favorite sandwich companion?! A whole Dill pickle contains 23% of the daily recommended amount of vitamin K, which helps your blood clot and keeps your bones strong, as well as 21%-24% of the daily value for vitamin A, important for your vision, immune system, and a healthy pregnancy.

In honor of National Pickle Day, crack open a jar and get snacking for your daily dose of probiotics!

Omega-3 and Diet

Diet has an enormous impact on heart health. Dr. Esselstyn, a world renowned doctor, is a pioneer of a diet-based approach for cardiac disease treatment and prevention. In his book, “Prevent and Reverse Heart Disease”, he states “If you eat to save your heart, you eat to save yourself from other diseases of nutritional extravagance: from strokes, hypertension, obesity, osteoporosis, adult-onset diabetes, and possibly senile mental impairment, as well. You gain protection from a host of other ailments that have been linked to dietary factors, including impotence and cancers of the breast, prostate, colon, rectum, uterus, and ovaries.” Dr Esseylstien preaches a WFPD (Whole Foods Plant Based Diet), that is rich in plant-based omega-3’s as an important part of preventing and reversing heart disease.

The benefits of Omega-3’s for cardiovascular health are well known throughout the medical community and are now recognized amongst the public. Omega-3’s also include eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). EPA and DHA are the marine forms of omega-3s, commonly found in cold-water fatty fish like salmon, herring, sardines, and mackerel. These fatty acids can be made from ALA in the body, but the conversion rate isn’t good. Because of this and the fact that EPA and DHA are strongly correlated with cardiovascular disease prevention, getting EPA and DHA through a nutritious diet and supplements is the best bet.

But wait, doesn’t Dr. Esselstyn, a heart health guru, promote a plant based diet? How are we supposed to get omega-3’s if we do not eat fatty fish? Let’s take a closer look at the food chain. Because fish aren’t able to produce EPA and DHA, they get it by eating microalgae. Seaweed and algae also supply EPA and DHA. Thus, algae are the true sources of the omega-3 fats in fish. This means that we can bypass fish and seafood for our omega-3 needs and instead consume algae and seaweed. In fact, eating fatty fish can sometimes not be as beneficial to our bodies as previously supposed due to pollutants in oceans and bodies of water. This means that some of the best sources of omega essential fatty acids are from algae produced in clean, pure ways. For instance, the omega vitamins in JuicePlus supplements are processed in an environment free of contaminants, and is cold pressed, so that none of the nutrients are destroyed from heat. JuicePlus Omega is unique in that it contains omega 3, 5, 6, 7, and 9, whereas in most drug stores and even health food specialty stores, you can only find omega 3, 6 and sometimes 9. In addition to algae, the best plant based sources of omega-3’s are chia seeds, avocados, flax seeds, brussel sprouts, hemp seed, walnuts, and perila oil.

Omegas are Essential

Today we are talking about the popular nutritional buzzword ‘Omegas’. Omegas fatty acids are essential fats that have numerous health benefits. Essential fats are compounds that for the most part cannot be made naturally in the body, and are essential for maintaining the systems in the body in best working order. They have to be consumed through outside sources like food and supplements. There are several types of omega’s, including omega 3, 5, 6, 7, and 9. The different types of omegas offer different health benefits. The reason why the omegas are designated with numbers has to do with their chemical structure. An important function of omegas is that they help reduce inflammation, and all disease starts with inflammation on a cellular level. If we can prevent or treat inflammation then that means that on a larger scale we can do the same for disease, especially chronic diseases that are preventable like heart disease and type 2 diabetes.

Omega-3’s are the most researched and popular of the omega family. They play an important role in supporting our most vital organs: the brain and the heart. They protect the lining of the brain by nourishing brain cells and maintaining the connections between those cells that the brain uses for information processing and moving limbs. Omega-3s are also vital for our brain cells – and all our cells – to make the energy they need in order to function. This promotes cognitive health in seniors, by alleviating mild memory problems associated with aging, as well as improving focus. Omegas support cardiovascular health by improving blood lipids and supporting cardiac longevity. They clear plaque in the heart vessels, which helps keep them from constricting. This is a main mechanism behind heart disease because when blood is not reaching the heart, then a heart attack occurs. Omega-3’s also promote a healthy pregnancy by supporting normal fetal brain and eye development, as well as a healthy birth weight. In addition, studies have shown that it can help with mental health and emotional vulnerabilities by improving mood and affect.

Cappuccinos for Cognition!

Yesterday was National Cappuccino Day! A cappuccino is an espresso-based coffee made with a smaller amount of steamed milk and a thick layer of foam. It has a bold taste and the most preferred variety. It originates from Italy, where early variations were consumed starting in the 1600’s. Espresso was popularized by the invention of the espresso machine. In 1901, Luigi Bezzera filed the first patent in Italy. After WWII, the espresso machine’s popularity spread beyond Italy into the rest of Europe. In the 1990’s, Starbucks helped launch the cappuccino into popularity in North America. The word cappuccino comes from the Capuchin friars and is a form of the word cappuccio in Italian, meaning hood or something that covers the head. Interestingly enough, this popular coffee beverage got its name not from the hood on their habits but instead from the color of the hooded robes that the friars wore. 

Not only are cappuccinos delicious, they are healthy for you! It has been proven for years that drinking coffee and espresso has many health benefits. Coffee beans have a high level of antioxidants that play an important role in promoting good health and wellness. Antioxidants are substances that can prevent or slow damage to cells caused by free radicals, unstable molecules that the body produces as a reaction to environmental and other pressures. All disease and illness starts on a cellular level, so if the cells are kept healthy with antioxidants, then the risk of disease is reduced. 

Studies reveal that a cup of cappuccino up to 180 ml a day can significantly prevent the oxidization of bad cholesterol and prevent heart problems. It also lowers the chances of a stroke by 20 per cent and take it without sugar, to keep blood sugars under control. It also assists in digestion.

One reason why we love cappuccinos at Private Home Care is because coffee promotes healthy aging by preventing or slowing cognitive decline. It is well-researched that coffee helps stimulate the brain by improving focus, memory, mood, energy, and general mental function. But what most of us don’t know is that frequent consumption of coffee can as well prevent cognitive decline related to mental anomalies such as Alzheimer’s disease. Almost two-thirds of Americans living with Alzheimer’s disease are women. But the caffeine in two cups of coffee may provide significant protection against developing the condition. In fact, researchers found that women aged 65 and older who drank two to three cups of coffee a day were less likely to develop dementia in general.

There are several theories on how coffee can help prevent or better yet, protect cognitive decline. The caffeine in coffee prevents beta-amyloid plaque build-up. The plaque can contribute to the beginning as well as the progression of Alzheimer’s. Also, researchers theorise that since a regular cup of coffee can keep dietary diabetes away (a dementia risk factor), it can also be said to minimise the danger of developing dementia.

National Candy Day

November 4th was National Candy Day.

Whether it be chocolate bars, gummies, hard candies, sour sweets or anything in between, satisfy your sweet tooth to your heart’s content for National Candy Day on November 4th. Even those who say that they don’t particularly care for candy do indeed have at least one favorite. If you ask anyone about their favorite candy, you’ll see that light in their eyes as they sweetly reminisce all about the ‘good old days’. 

Can candy be good for your memory? 

Though candy is certainly not a health food, scientists at Harvard have found in some instances that candy can help revive memories! Often people have memories of their favorite sweets from childhood, and eating those same treats in later years can trigger happy memories. This is especially so for peppermint candies, because mint has a strong scent and flavor known to make you alert, which makes an impression on memory.

There is a part of the brain called the hippocampus (one in each hemisphere) that is critical for memory. The hippocampus has strong connections with parts of the brain that are important for emotion and for smell. This may explain why emotional memories can be so vivid or why certain smells trigger a sense of recall in us even before we consciously remember an event.

Emotion and smell no doubt contribute to the power of some food memories, but it is the hippocampus that has a more direct connection digestive system. Many of the hormones that regulate appetite, digestion, and eating also have receptors in the hippocampus. The hippocampus is the mechanism responsible for candy-related memories. 

Evolution could be the reason behind why childhood candy bars revoke memories from younger years. Our primate ancestors were fruit seekers and eaters, the sweetness of candy pushes a button in our brains—we have a natural sweet tooth. Upon eating a highly appealing sweet food, the reward centers of our brains are activated. The neurotransmitter dopamine has a key role in the brain biology of reward, but dopamine pathways are also involved in many other brain functions. One of these functions, via the hippocampus, is turning short term memories into long term ones. The brain’s reward mechanisms serve to motivate certain actions and behaviors. This would not work very well if motivation was not reinforced by memory.

Another connection between candy and memories is that for a child, candies and candy bars are often a special treat. This alone could make eating them a memorable experience. In addition, those candies can also be associated with special childhood occasions, such as candy canes at Christmas celebrations, chocolate eggs at Easter, or visiting a favorite aunt who always treated you with your favorite caramel candies. Neuroscience says that emotion and novelty tend to make events more memorable, and those tied in some way with food may make for even more powerful memories. 

Celebrate candy and happy childhood candy-related memories by enjoying sweets on National Candy Day! Private Home Care sends sweet wishes to you and yours!

National Vinegar Day

Yesterday was National Vinegar Day. Vinegar is made by fermenting something past the point of an alcoholic drink until it’s acidic. This is why we have different kinds of vinegars, just as we have different kinds of wines and liqueurs. Many times vinegar is made from grapes (white wine vinegar, red wine, or balsamic vinegar). Popular kinds also include apples (apple cider vinegar), rice (rice wine vinegar), grains (white vinegar), and more. 

No need for a sour face though – vinegar has health benefits. Vinegar is no longer reserved just for salads, and has found its way into the arsenals of medicine cabinets. In recent years, apple cider vinegar has been in the spotlight for it’s useful properties. Many people drink a tablespoon full of vinegar in the morning either with water or, for the brave hearted, straight by itself. Apple cider vinegar has various healthful properties, including antimicrobial and antioxidant effects. What’s more, evidence suggests it may offer health benefits, such as aiding weight loss and reducing cholesterol. Vinegar also helps improve the symptoms of diabetes – apple cider vinegar has shown great promise in improving insulin sensitivity and helping lower blood sugar responses after meals. The science is still being contested on whether vinegar supports weight loss, but several promising human studies show that vinegar can increase feelings of fullness. This can lead you to eat fewer calories and lose weight. For example, according to one study, taking vinegar along with a high carb meal led to increased feelings of fullness, causing participants to eat 200–275 fewer calories throughout the rest of the day.

Apple cider vinegar also promotes antioxidant activity. In research studies, apple cider vinegar induced a protective effect against erythrocyte, kidney, and liver oxidative injury and lowered the serum lipid levels in mice fed a high cholesterol diet. The authors of the study suggested that it may scavenge free radicals, inhibit lipid peroxidation, and increase the levels of antioxidant enzymes and vitamins in cells. As we know, antioxidants are vital to health because they fight inflammation, and inflammation is the ultimate cause of all disease. 

Vinegar helps kill pathogens, including bacteria. People have traditionally used vinegar for cleaning and disinfecting, treating nail fungus, lice, warts, and ear infections. In fact, Hippocrates, the father of modern medicine, used vinegar to clean wounds more than 2,000 years ago. Vinegar is also a food preservative, and studies show that it inhibits bacteria like E. coli from growing in and spoiling food. That is good news for salad lovers – even after rinsing, vinegar helps clean produce to make sure there is no bacteria to avoid any food-borne illness. This is also one of the reasons why vinegar is an excellent choice for cleaning. Toxic chemicals like bleach are not healthy to inhale or touch, and vinegar is a natural alternative that does the job just as well. Mix it with lemon for a powerful and natural bath and shower cleaner, or use it straight to brighten coffee cups. It can also be a lifesaver for getting tough stains out of your favorite fabrics.