In recent years we have seen experts promoting the use of palm oil in foods, as a substitute for transfats or hydrogenated fats. We know that long-chain saturated fats (from meat and dairy products) increase LDL-cholesterol – the bad cholesterol, as do foods containing transfats. To examine whether or not substituting palm oil for hydrogenated fats could lower cholesterol levels in patients with moderately high LDL-cholesterol levels, Alice H. Lichtenstein and colleagues conducted a study (Tufts University) involvi...
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The recently published research paper by de Koning and felllow researchers, (Circulation, 2012) demonstrated what I have suspected and cautioned patients about for a very long time - but now we have additional objective evidence that explains the details. Based on data from 42,883 males followed in the Health Professionals Follow-Up Study, between 1986-2008, researchers showed that inviduals who consumed just one 12 ounce serving of a sugar-containing soft drink (not artificially-sweetened ...
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On Sept 29, 2011 Dr Mercola posted an article on his site highlighting the cancer-promoting effects of fructose, a commonly used sugar in many commericial products. His review can be found at http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2011/09/29/is-this-simple-sugar-a-major-factor-in-the-failure-of-the-war-on-cancer.aspx. In his review Dr Mercola cites the paper published on July 20, 2010 in Cancer Research entitled, "Fructose Induces Transketolase Flux to Promote Pancreatic Cancer Growth"(http://cancerres.aa...
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Let me begin by stating that you should have a physical exam by your physician every year. This enables your doctor to assess physical aspects of health (blood pressure, pulse, skin lesions, respiratory function, rectal exam, prostate exam, internal exam etc), for which there is no substitute. Your doctor will also order some standard blood work to assess your blood level of cholesterol, triglycerides, glucose, and other basic blood parameters, along with a urinalysis. These procedures are designed to look ...
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The promoters of coconut oil are happy to tell you that it is a source of medium-chained triglycerides, which, although being mostly saturated fats, do not raise cholesterol levels. What they fail to tell you is that most of the saturated fat in coconut oil are long-chain fatty acids, which do elevate total cholesterol and the really bad cholesterol, known as LDL-cholesterol. Studies investigating the effects of coconut oil on human subjects have shown disturbing findings:
Coconu...
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As a seminar speaker, I am on the road lecturing many days of the year. As you can imagine it’s not always easy to find healthy, low-low-fat food – a message I preach at each seminar. However, with experience you learn to find the solution even in the toughest of situations.
For example, last week I drove 3 hours to Sarnia, Ontario, with the glaring sun hitting my windshield in the late afternoon as I drove west from Toronto. It certainly drained some of my energy as I piled up the mileage driving the tediou...
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