The researchers reported in June 2007 that middle-aged adults age 45 to 64 who began eating five or more fruits and vegetables every day, exercising for at least 2 1/2 hours a week, keeping weight down and not smoking decreased their risk of heart disease by 35 percent and risk of death by 40 percent in the four years after they started.

"The adopters of a healthy lifestyle basically caught up. Within four years, their mortality rate and rate of heart attacks matched the people who had been doing these behaviors all along," said Dr. Dana King at the Medical University of South Carolina, who led the research.  Dr. King added "even if you have not had a healthy lifestyle previously, it's not too late to adopt those healthy lifestyle habits and gain almost immediate benefits."

The four key habits are eating five or more servings of fruits and vegetables everyday, exercising for 2 ½ hours per week, not smoking and maintaining a healthy weight. The study participants who adopted all four healthy habits enjoyed a sharp decline in heart disease risk and in death from any cause.

It took all four -- having just three of the healthy habits yielded no heart benefits and a more modest decrease in overall risk of death. Still, said Dr. Nichola Davis at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine, "These benefits are on a continuum. The more of the healthy habits that you can adapt, the better. ...These are modest changes that they're talking about."

The Wholefood Farmacy foods offer you a convenient and delicious way to enjoy five or more servings of fruits and vegetables each and every day.  How many servings have you, your family and your children had today?

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Healthy foods to choose from !

1. Salmon. Fatty fish may not sound healthy, but study after study confirms that consumption of salmon lowers the risk of death from heart disease. It is indeed the fat, in particular, the omega-3 fatty acids -- that help the heart by preventing sudden and fatal disturbances in heart rhythm. You are less likely to die from a heart attack if you eat at least one serving of salmon or other fatty fish each week, according to the American Heart Association. Fresh fish might taste better, but canned salmon also is high in omega-3 fatty acids. It is also available in the convenient pouches, like tuna.
2. Nuts. Almonds, peanuts, walnuts and hazelnuts are bite-size powerhouses of health-promoting substances that help prevent heart disease and cancer. High in monounsaturated fat, vitamin E, magnesium and fiber, a small, one-to two-ounce serving is all that is needed to provide health benefits. And because they have a high fat content, a small amount is surprisingly filling.
3. Beans. Yes, they are starchy, but they are also a great source of protein, fiber, folic acid, zinc, magnesium and potassium. Drained and rinsed, canned beans are a great, inexpensive and convenient protein source. Mix them with salads or soups.
4. Oranges. These and other citrus fruits are loaded with cancer-battling bioflavonoids and immune system-boosting vitamin C. Go for the fruit, not just juice.
5. Spinach. This dark, leafy green vegetable is packed with vitamin C, beta carotene, vitamin A, fiber, and some calcium and iron. These nutrients and potent antioxidants fight cancer and boost immunity, not to mention that it is a low-calorie food. There are not too many foods with this kind of "bang for your buck."
6. Sweet Potatoes. Too bad many eat them only on Thanksgiving. Sweet potatoes are among the most nutritious of vegetables since they are packed with more disease-fighting beta carotene, fiber and other antioxidants. They are starchy, however, so use them in place of white potatoes, rice or other starches.
7. Berries. These colorful fruits contain chemicals that act as antioxidants, believed by scientists to protect the body from the stresses of age, and may reduce risk of cancer. Seek out whatever is in season, or in the frozen section, pick up blueberries, strawberries, cranberries and blackberries. Top cereal, ice cream, yogurt or just eat plain with a dollop of whipped cream.
8. Oatmeal. You've certainly heard this before. It's the soluble fiber in oatmeal, oatbran or other whole grains that has been shown to reduce cholesterol and risk of heart disease. However, there are other high-fiber cereals that will do just fine.
9. Tomatoes. You say "tomato;" I say "lycopene." This is the one vegetable where fresh is not as advantageous, because the powerful antioxidants are more concentrated in cooked varieties. Keep canned tomatoes on hand to throw in with other vegetables or pair up with fish, chicken, pork or beef.
10. Low-fat Milk or Yogurt. I rarely meet someone who gets the recommended amount of calcium in their diet. These dairy products are not that high in calories for the amount of calcium, protein and vitamins A and D that they contain. If you aren't a milk drinker, eat yogurt or low-fat cheese, or at least take calcium supplements.

The following recipe is one of my all-time favorite vegetable dishes, and it's incredibly easy, thanks to convenient packaging. Serve this with marinated and grilled salmon for a super "power food" dinner.

Spinach and Tomatoes with Feta and Pine Nuts

1 small onion, minced
2 tsp. minced garlic
1 package pre-sliced mushrooms
1 bag of fresh spinach, already washed and stemmed
1 can chopped tomatoes (in whatever variety you like)
1 package crumbled feta (I like the tomato and basil variety.)
2 Tbsp. toasted pine nuts or almond slices (optional)

In a small amount of olive oil or cooking spray, sauté onion and garlic. After a few minutes, add mushrooms and cook a few more minutes. Add fresh spinach, one handful at a time, and cook until spinach is wilted. Add tomatoes, juice and all, and cook until most of the liquid is evaporated. Remove from heat and top with feta and toasted nuts.

Makes about 4 one-cup servings. Nutritional values per serving: 117 Calories, 7 g protein, 13 g carbs, 4 g fiber, 5 g fat and 531 mg sodium.

Katherine Howdy Tate of North Carolina

The Sunny Truth

With springtime here and summer time right around the corner, many people are once again becoming concerned about exposure to sunlight, but the latest research may really surprise you.

A recent study by researchers at the University of California found that solar ultraviolet B (UVB) radiation can significantly reduce the risk of 16 different types of cancer by naturally stimulating the production of vitamin D in the skin. The study's authors are Cedric F. Garland, Dr.P.H., from the Department of Family and Preventive Medicine at the University of California, San Diego, and William B. Grant, Ph.D., director of the Sunlight, Nutrition and Health Research Center (SUNARC) www.sunarc.org/about.htm

"Enhancing vitamin D status appears to be the single most important simple thing people can do to reduce their risk of cancer, apart from avoiding tobacco and moderation in the intake of alcohol," say Cedric Garland and William Grant.

It has been frequently reported that those who work outdoors have a reduced risk of developing melanoma [Garland et al., 1990; Kennedy et al., 2004]. The reasons appear to be twofold:

• They develop a tan that blocks the penetration of ultraviolet radiation so it can't produce the free radicals that can lead to melanoma.
• They produce lots of vitamin D.

The researchers recommend that people get their vitamin D from exposure to natural sunlight. Fair-skinned people who live in sunny regions of the country can produce about 1,500 IU of vitamin D in 20 minutes of exposure at noon if only 10 to 20 percent of their body is exposed -- such as chest, back and arms. People should try to expose more of their skin surface for a shorter amount of time, rather than stay in the sun longer with minimal skin exposure, the study says. Darker-skinned people may need up to four times as long to make the same amount of vitamin D as fair-skinned people.

The study recommends wearing hats to avoid prolonged sun exposure on more sensitive parts of the body, such as the face, and to keep moving when in the sun. Garland and Grant caution fair-skinned people to avoid over-exposure, since the skin produces sufficient vitamin D in just 20 minutes a day.
  
A new and gathering body of evidence seems to indicate that the benefits of sunlight, in general, greatly outweigh the risks.   So grab a bag of your favorite Wholefood Farmacy food, take a walk in the park, and make a little sunshine a part of each and every day.

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When it comes to your health, water is undoubtedly the first-prize winner. Here are a few different things you can do to quench your body's thirst for H2O:

1. When you wake, start the day with a glass of water.
2. Keep a pitcher of chilled water in the fridge.
3. Always carry a bottle or jug of fresh water with you.
4. Avoid drinking a large amount of caffeinated beverages.
5. Take a few sips from a water fountain whenever you run into one.
6. Drink a glass with every meal even if you are drinking another beverage.
7. If you're hungry, drink a glass before you go for the snack.
8. Increase your fruit and veggie intake.
9. Order soup before your meal.
10. Plan ahead and make daily goals.

90 Days To Wellness     A Public Service Campaign of     The Wholefood Farmacy

                Diets Don't Work
 

Researchers at the University of California, Los Angeles, examining 31 weight-loss studies found that long-term dieting doesn't keep the pounds off. While people can lose weight initially, many relapse and regain the weight they shed.   The findings confirm what many scientists have been saying all along: Losing weight is easy. Keeping it off is another story.
 
"If dieting worked, there would be a bunch of skinny people walking around," said obesity researcher Dr. David Katz, head of Yale University's Prevention Research Center. Since the 1970s, the ranks of overweight and obese Americans have risen with two-thirds of adults in that category. Obesity raises the risk of heart disease, diabetes and some cancers.

If you're tired of diets that don't work, let The Wholefood Farmacy offer you a pathway to the one and only true solution - a new healthy lifestyle! Our 7 & 13 day programs such as The Tri-Decathlon Delux, New You Resolution Pantry and Liquithon offer you a way to reset your body's nutritional system back to "original manufacturer's specifications" and to make a fresh start.

Can you imagine craving water, fruits and veggies the same way that you now crave sodas, junk food and fast food? Can you imagine feeling completely full and satisfied with half the amount of food it takes to do that for you now? That's what The Wholefood Farmacy's 13 day programs are all about. These wonderful programs can be your "on-ramp" to a new and healthier lifestyle - and that is the only true and permanent solution.

Would you like more information?  If so, please call our 24 hour recorded information line at 620-294-1381. This recorded call offers complete information, details, instructions and answers to frequently asked questions.

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