I recently looked at the back of a box of crackers and noticed the ‘No Trans-Fats’ label. Upon closer inspection, I saw the term “interesterified fat” as an ingredient. I’d never heard of that type of fat before, so I did some research, and it’s created by chemically inserting saturated fatty acids into the molecular backbone of vegetable oil to make it more stable (so it can sit on store shelves longer). Recent research shows that this new type of fat may be just as bad as ‘trans-fats’; they may increase the risk of heart disease by lowering HDL cholesterol and raising LDL cholesterol, just like the ‘trans-fats’. They also appear to decrease insulin sensitivity and raise blood sugar levels, which equals a risk for diabetes type 2. Interesterified fats don’t seem to be a healthy alternative to ‘trans-fats’.
A new study in the July 22nd issue of the American Journal of Epidemiology, found that sitting increases the risk for early death, primarily from heart disease. The study began in 1992, and followed over 53,000 men and almost 70,000 women, and found that sitting for 6 hours or more compared to 3 hours or less increased the death rate for women by 40 %, men 20%, and when no exercise was involved, 94% for women and 48% for men. In other words, sitting is not good for us, especially when coupled with little or no exercise. Humans were not designed to sit, but if your job requires it, exercise is a MUST, if you want to live longer. You make the call.
This via the Dr Oz website: broccoli, beets, and red bell peppers are the top 3 veges, as far as the amount of antioxidants they contain. The three are particularly high in phenols, disease-fighting plant compounds that do everything from clearing arteries to fighting cancer to preventing Alzheimer’s. Beets also are chock-full of potassium. Potassium to soft tissue is what calcium is to bone; extremely important.
I’ll be celebrating birthday number 56 on Sunday, and I feel super. I feel I’m doing a good job of rewinding my clock.
Stay well, John R Blilie, M.S.