Dr. Brad’s Weekly Health Update: Making Health Food More Flavorful

Making Health Food More Flavorful

Going on a diet does not mean eating only bland and boring foods. The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics recommends adding flavor the following ways: pan-sear, grill, or broil to intensify flavors; drizzle vegetables with olive oil, then roast in an oven at 450 degrees Fahrenheit (232.2 degrees Celsius); caramelize onions over low heat in a pan with a little oil to give a sweet flavor; add colorful peppers or some hot sauce; add citrus fruit, chipotle peppers, cilantro, or pomegranate seeds to give richer flavor; and use flavorful condiments, such as horseradish, mustard, chutney, or salsa. Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, May 2017

Are You Addicted to Your Smartphone?

Cell phone overuse can be a sign of addiction. Experts at the Cleveland Clinic’s Center for Behavioral Health note the following signs that suggests smartphone addiction: your device is getting in the way of work or making it hard to concentrate on tasks; you think about your smartphone even when you’re not using it; you feel impatient and irritable if you’re not holding it; you check your phone constantly and for longer than you intended; and family members say you use it too much. If you find that your smartphone use is excessive, take steps to cut back. Try setting your phone aside for a few hours every day so you can focus on other activities and set goals and keep track of what you’re doing without your phone, such as reading or spending time with your family. Cleveland Clinic, May 2017

Experts Say No Fruit Juice Before Age One.

A panel of experts from the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends limiting fruit juice to toddlers and children, and that babies shouldn’t have any juice before their first birthday. The expert panel made this recommendation because juice often becomes a replacement for whole fruits and vegetables and fruit juice typically doesn’t provide the same amount of fiber, vitamins, and other nutrients that whole fruits provide. Instead of juice, the panel suggests giving young children water, breast milk, cow’s milk, or other milk alternatives. Pediatrics, May 2017

Back Pain Common Among Professional Drivers.

Using data collected from 800 taxi drivers, researchers report 54% had experienced an episode of back pain during the prior year. Factors associated with an elevated risk for back pain among professional drivers include longer daily driving duration, night shifts, and years worked in the industry. On the other hand, the researchers found increased rest days per month, longer sleep duration, and more physical activity lowered the risk of developing back pain among study participants. Occupational Medicine, May 2017

More Fiber in Your Diet May Lower Your Risk of Osteoarthritis of the Knee.

Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common type of arthritis in the United States, affecting more than 30 million adults. New research suggests that a diet rich in fiber may lower the risk of developing painful knee osteoarthritis. In the study, researchers reviewed data concerning over 6,000 adults and found that participants who consumed the most fiber had a 30%-61% lower risk of OA of the knee than those who consumed the least fiber in their diet. Furthermore, the study found that consuming more fiber in general significantly decreased the risk of the knee pain getting worse. Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases, May 2017

Yours in health,

Dr. Brad Butler, DC