Jon's Health Tips: Dark Chocolate

Dark chocolate: Half a bar per week to keep at bay the risk of heart attackAn Italian study, the first outcome of a large epidemiological investigation, finds new beneficial effects of chocolate in the prevention of cardiovascular disease6.7 grams of chocolate per day represent the ideal amount for a protective effect against inflammation and subsequent cardiovascular disease. The findings, published in the last issue of the Journal of Nutrition, official journal of the American Society of Nutrition, come from one of the largest epidemiological studies ever conducted in Europe, the Moli-sani Project, which has enrolled 20,000 inhabitants of the Molise region so far. By studying the participants recruited, researchers focused on the complex mechanism of inflammation. It is known how a chronic...

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Jon's Health Tips: Eating Fish

Eating FishI eat a lot of fish – mostly salmon, but lots of other fish as well. However, I avoid swordfish and tuna, especially tuna steaks and albacore because of high levels of mercury, and tilapia because of high levels of omega-6. I eat fish because its healthy and I like it, and when I’m eating fish I’m not eating meat. I supplement my fish consumption with fish oil or flaxseed oil on days that I do eat meat.My daughter, who is a pediatrician and vegetarian, also uses flaxseed oil and gives her 3 children fish oil supplements.Here’s why:Fish reduces asthma and allergiesGiving children a diet rich in fish and “fruity vegetables” can reduce asthma and allergies, according to a seven-year study of 460 Spanish children, published in the September issue of Pediatric Allergy and Immunology.The...

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Jon's Health Tips: Red Wine

I drink a glass of red wine almost every day, even though I don’t particularly like it. I wish I could drink more, but I just can’t. I make up some of the deficiency by eating a lot of organic raisins (dried grapes.) In dried fruit eating organic is especially important because the contamination is concentrated. I drink cabernet sauvignon from Chile, which has the highest concentration of resveratrol. Here’s why:New 'Wine Diet' Adds Years to Your Life If you're contemplating giving up wine for your diet...Don't! There are far too many studies now showing the significant long-term health benefits from a daily glass or two of red wine to worry about the extra calories.Top U.S. killers are heart disease and cancer, but it doesn't have to be that way. One study shows men can lower their risk...

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Jon's Health Tips: Aspirin

I take aspirin regularly. So does my internist. Here’s why:Aspirin, long known to relieve fevers, aches and pain, has served an increasingly bigger role in health care in recent years. A daily aspirin may help lower the risk of heart attack and clot-related strokes. An estimated 20 million men and women take a low dose of aspirin (81-325 mg daily) to control heart disease.The November issue of Mayo Clinic Women’s HealthSource discusses why millions of Americans opt to take a daily low-dose aspirin and how this therapy seems to work a bit differently for women and men.Aspirin reduces the clumping action of platelets, the blood’s clotting cells. Clotting helps a cut or wound stop bleeding. But clots also form within blood vessels that supply the heart and brain. If the vessels are already narrowed...

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Jon's Health Notes: Green Tea

One of my hobbies is collecting information on research involving personal health matters. I’d like to share some of this with you.I try to drink at least 2 strong cups of green tea a day, preferably with a little bit of orange juice. Here’s why:Reader quote: “ Note, though, that green tea is contraindicated with Coumadin, or so my husband's cardiologist says.”Drinking Tea May Offer Health BenefitsTea drinkers who opt for black, oolong, green or white teas may find that these beverages offer health benefits. The April issue of Mayo Clinic Health Letter covers what is -- and isn’t -- known about the health effects of drinking tea.Black, oolong, green or white teas have a common origin. Each is produced from the leaves of the Camellia sinensis bush. The leaves are loaded with flavonoids and...

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