Now that it's summer and you're more likely to be out in the sun for long periods of time, I thought it was appropriate to address skin cancer risk. Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer worldwide. Over-exposure to UV radiation is the primary cause of skin cancer. Experts think that risk for melanoma skin cancer is related to the severity of the burn. Sun and Skin Cancer The best way to reduce risk of skin cancer is to protect your skin from sun damage. Here are three tips … [Read more...]
Foods that Provide Probiotics and Prebiotics
I previously posted on Probiotics and Prebiotics and how they work. Today we'll discuss what foods are good sources of probiotics and prebiotics. The bottom line is that we all have bacteria in our intestines. We want to maintain the right balance of good bacteria for the health of our intestines and for our immune system. Things that upset the balance include antibiotics as well as the presence of disease causing bacteria. When the microbial balance is off in the intestines, … [Read more...]
Probiotics and Prebiotics: Do They Work?
Biotics:There are many foods and companies now touting the benefits of prebiotics and probiotics. These brands include Benefiber, Metamucil, Yoplait, Activia, and more. You might wonder what these compounds are supposed to do and if they really work. Today I'll give you the down and dirty on biotics! Probiotics: When it comes to bacteria, you probably already know that there are "good" bacteria and "bad" bacteria. Probiotics are "good" bacteria. This … [Read more...]
Soy Foods and Cancer: Recipes!
Do I Have to Eat Tofu? I'm sure that many of you are interested in eating or cooking soy, but you don't know where to start. Let me tell you a funny story about the first time I had tofu. I was at a restaurant on Hillsborough Street in Raleigh while in college at N.C. State University. I decided that I wanted to try tofu, and one of the options on the menu was "Grilled Tofu". Thinking that I like pretty much anything grilled, I ordered it. Mental note to everyone: Tofu is not … [Read more...]
Why We Eat: Emotional Eating and Illness
Does it surprise you that 75% of the time our food choices have nothing to do with their nutrient value? It shouldn't! If you've been through cancer and had any side effects that affected your eating, you know that food choices weren't based on nutrients as much as being able to swallow and keep the food down. And when you're sick, what do people want to do? Bring you food! Because feeding people is closely tied to caring for them, it's not a surprise that we associate food with … [Read more...]
