American Heart Association News (AP)

One or more artificially sweetened drinks a day was associated with higher risk of stroke and dementia, a new study suggests.

The research, published Thursday in the science journal Stroke, examined consumption of beverages sweetened with sugar and artificial sweeteners but did not find that same association with sugary beverages. The results, however, come with a host of caution flags raised by experts. They say the study does not even hint that regular sugary drinks are better for you, or even that artificially sweetened drinks were associated with higher risk of strokes or dementia.

The studys lead author said the observational study shows an association or trend in a group of people and not a direct cause-and-effect link. Its more hypothesis-generating.

The jury is still out, and this just shows people need to be cautious, said Matthew Pase, Ph.D., a fellow in the department of neurology at Boston University School of Medicine and an investigator at the Framingham Heart Study.

Previous studies have looked at artificial sweeteners impact on stroke risk. Pase believes this is the first study to look at its association with risk of dementia and he hopes the work will spur more research into the effects of these sweeteners on the brain.

Researchers analyzed the self-reported diets of two sets of people participating in the Framingham Heart Study, the longest-running heart study in the U.S., funded by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute and run in partnership with Boston University. The study examined beverage intake of 2,888 people over the age of 45 for its stroke analysis and 1,484 people over the age of 60 for the studys dementia analyses.

Over seven years, researchers used food frequency questionnaires up to three different points in time. They then followed up for the next 10 years to determine who developed stroke and dementia.

At the end of the follow-up period, researchers counted 97 strokes, or 3 percent of the participants in the stroke analysis arm of the study. Of those, 82 were ischemic. The study found 81 cases of dementia, or 5 percent of the participants in the dementia arm of the study. Of those, 63 were diagnosed as Alzheimers disease.

The study found that people who reported drinking at least one artificially sweetened drink a day compared with less than one a week were 2.96 times as likely to have an ischemic stroke, caused by blood vessel blockage, and 2.89 times as likely to be diagnosed with dementia due to Alzheimers disease. The results were adjusted for variables such as age, sex, caloric intake, diet quality, physical activity and smoking.

Pase and other researchers say the work points clearly to the need to investigate the possible biological reasons artificial sweeteners might affect the brain and the need for more experimental and clinical trials.

We need to be cautious in the interpretation of these results, said Rachel K. Johnson, Ph.D., past chair of the American Heart Associations Nutrition Committee and professor of nutrition at the University of Vermont. It doesnt prove cause and effect. When you see these kinds of associations, you want to always ask what is the biological plausibility, what is the mechanism that might be causing this?

But, Johnson said, there is a part of the issue that is settled science.

We have a robust body of literature on the adverse effects of sugary drinks. Absolutely the message is not to switch to sugary drinks, she said.

Studies linking added sugars and conditions that lead to cardiovascular disease the No. 1 cause of death in the world have been around for years. Diets high in added sugars have been connected to heart risk factors such as obesity and high blood pressure.

In 2012, the AHA and the American Diabetes Association issued a scientific statement on the use of artificial sweeteners, saying "that when used judiciously, [artificial sweeteners] could facilitate reductions in added sugars intake. The statement called for further research on non-nutritive sweeteners and cardiovascular risk but noted that limiting added sugars is an important strategy for supporting optimal nutrition and healthy weights.

Consumers shouldnt overinterpret the latest studys results, said Christopher Gardner, Ph.D., director of Nutrition Studies at the Stanford Prevention Research Center and a professor of medicine at Stanford University. Gardner was lead author on the 2012 statement.

Its a tricky thing, said Gardner, who leads research into how people can optimize their diets. Nobody ever said diet sodas were a health food.

For many people, such as people with diabetes or obesity, he said, diet sodas can be part of the gradual switch from sugary drinks.

So, the bottom line is, Have more water and have less diet soda, he said. And dont switch to real soda.

Pase, who studies how people can change behavior or diet to prevent dementia, said people need to be skeptical when deciding whether to select something with artificial sweeteners or real sugar.

Just because a beverage is advertised as being healthy because it doesnt have any sugar doesnt mean that it is healthy, Pase said. Artificial sweeteners may have effects in the body that we havent begun to explore.

Read more:
A diet soda a day might affect dementia risk, study suggests - The Columbus Dispatch

Cutting out certain amino acids the building blocks of proteins from the diet of mice slows tumour growth and prolongs survival, according to new researchpublished in Nature.

Our findings suggest that restricting specific amino acids through a controlled diet plan could be an additional part of treatment for some cancer patients in future, helping to make other treatments more effective." -Dr Oliver Maddocks

Researchers at the Cancer Research UK Beatson Institute and the University of Glasgow found that removing two non-essential amino acids serine and glycine from the diet of mice slowed the development of lymphoma and intestinal cancer.

The researchers also found that the special diet made some cancer cells more susceptible to chemicals in cells called reactive oxygen species.

Chemotherapy and radiotherapy boost levels of these chemicals in the cells, so this research suggests a specially formulated diet could make conventional cancer treatments more effective.

The next stage would be to set up clinical trials with cancer patients to assess the feasibility and safety of such a treatment.

Dr Oliver Maddocks, a Cancer Research UK scientist at the University of Glasgow, said: Our findings suggest that restricting specific amino acids through a controlled diet plan could be an additional part of treatment for some cancer patients in future, helping to make other treatments more effective.

Professor Karen Vousden, Cancer Research UKs chief scientist and study co-author, said: This kind of restricted diet would be a short term measure and must be carefully controlled and monitored by doctors for safety. Our diet is complex and protein - the main source of all amino acids - is vital for our health and well-being. This means that patients cannot safely cut out these specific amino acids simply by following some form of home-made diet.

Amino acids are the building blocks that cells need to make proteins. While healthy cells are able to make sufficient serine and glycine, cancer cells are much more dependent on getting these vital amino acids from the diet.

However, the study also found that the diet was less effective in tumours with an activated Kras gene, such as most pancreatic cancer, because the faulty gene boosted the ability of the cancer cells to make their own serine and glycine. This could help to select which tumours could be best targeted by diet therapy.

Dr Emma Smith, science communication manager at Cancer Research UK, said: This is a really interesting look at how cutting off the supply of nutrients essential to cancer cell growth and division could help restrain tumours.

The next steps are clinical trials in people to see if giving a specialised diet that lacks these amino acids is safe and helps slow tumour growth as seen in mice. Wed also need to work out which patients are most likely to benefit, depending on the characteristics of their cancer.

Read this article:
Amino acids in diet could be key to starving cancer | Cancer ... - Cancer Research UK

MATTHEW SALMONS

Last updated16:15, April 22 2017

Matthew Salmons/FAIRFAX NZ

Only one in ten hawks brought into the North Canterbury bird rescue centre survives. Most of the birds brought in have been hit by cars.

A lucky kahu(harrier hawk) from Eyrewell,North Canterbury, returned home on Friday, but Oxford Bird Rescue (OBR) says many won't be so fortunate.

OBR's Scott Bowman said about one in 10 hawks brought in after being injured would survive, and he expected to see more than usual this year.

Over the last six years, OBR and Canterbury Raptor Rescue (now part of OBR) had cared for more than 700 hawks, with 10 per cent released back into the wild.

Matthew Salmons/Fairfax NZ

Scott Bowman checking the hawk before release.

Hawks were moving back to a diet ofcarrion Bowman said, as their usual food sources young rabbits and fledgling birds were maturing and becoming a "bit more canny".

Matthew Salmons/Fairfax NZ

The sharp beak and vicious claws of the predatory harrier hawk.

The younger hawks were less likely to be able to judge the speed of oncoming vehicles as they tucked into a meal of road kill.

"Abig part of their problem is disengaging their rear talons can be quite slow. As they move forward to fly off, if they don't roll their foot enough their foot gets stuck in the carrion, which results in them generally being clipped."

Bowman said that "like anything", hawks came off second best when colliding with a car and encouraged drivers to slow down and give hawks a chance to take off safely.

Matthew Salmons/Fairfax NZ

Another hawk recuperating in the Bowman's aviary.

He said he would also encourage people to move carrion off the roads, giving hawks a safe meal.

OBR was gearing up for a bumper season of hawks this year, as last year's breeding season had been good for all birds.

"We're going to see quite a few. We're not even in winter yet and we've already had quite a number come in, five this week."

Matthew Salmons/Fairfax NZ

This hawk was not happy about his pre-release check.

Broken wings, legs andinternal bleeding were common injuries for the hawks brought into OBR, who in turn would take them for treatment at a vet or wildlife hospital.

"Even though they look like quite a solid bird, like all birds they're pretty delicate," Bowman said.

The lucky hawk released on Friday was brought into OBR by Eyrewell farmer Michelle Hayward on February 11 with a broken wing.

Matthew Salmons/Fairfax NZ

Michelle Hayward and Scott Bowman preparing to release the hawk from the carry case.

Hayward said she found the hawk in a paddock where calves were grazing.

"My dog found it, I think he thought it was one of the calves. I went over and I was like 'oh shit, what's he got?'."

The hawk was not injured by the dog, Bowman said, but had likely been hit by a car.

Matthew Salmons/Fairfax NZ

Michelle Hayward shows Scott Bowman where she found the hawk.

"The South Island Wildlife Hospital did most of the work with this one. Pauline, the head vet, pinned the break, did the physio and handed the bird back to us to do the last part of the rehab," Bowman said.

Hayward said hawks were a useful bird for farmers, as they drove off other birds which might affect growing feed crop.

"We used to have pidgeon problem. I just wish they'd clear out those bloody magpies."

-Stuff

See the original post here:
Lucky hawk back home - The Press

Rosemary Ferguson

Before Easter I noticed a definite increase in the amount of chocolate coming into the house I also noticed that was the one eating most of it! Im not talking about the raw, high-cacao type, Im talking about the milky, chocolatey, super-sweet type the type that once you start eating, you cant stop.

Over the period of a few weeks this really crept up on me and I realised that I was going to the freezer armed with a spoon for a sneaky scoop of ice cream here and there, as well as eating way more chocolate than normal. The more I ate, the more I wanted; the substance driving my craving was not the chocolate, nor the ice cream, but obviously the sugar!

It is common knowledge that sugar is addictive. It hits the dopamine and serotonin sensors in the brain which, in turn, promotes feelings of reward and wellbeing. Scientific studies have shown that sugar is a substance that is as addictive as some class A drugs; so in light of this and it being compounded by the joys of Easter, it struck me that its no wonder that many of us find ourselves in a sugar-craving spiral.

Eating loads of sugar will very simply make you feel knackered, will make your skin dull and you will probably start to gain weight. You will experience medium-to-extreme blood sugar spikes and crashes which create unstable energy levels - all of which will leave you feeling pretty despondent. The question is, how to break the cycle of craving?

Firstly bear in mind that taste buds change. They naturally renew every two weeks, so if you can overcome your cravings for sugar long enough you will find that sugary, sweet foods do not tempt you nearly as much. In addition to your sense of taste changing, the longer you avoid refined sugars the less your brain will ask for it. You will start feeling much brighter than you did, and this will encourage you to carry on.

Small steps create big changes but I understand that sometimes you need (what I call in my clinic) a quick fix - a speedy way to get you back on track. This is what I did to break my sugar cycle: I did a two to three-day liquid detox. By liquid day I mean soups and vegetable-heavy smoothies. In a nutshell, you should simply avoid alcohol, caffeine and refined processed foods for three days before the detox, and it helps to make sure you have a relatively quiet calendar.

Rosemary Ferguson

You can use all vegetables including roots but not potatoes and an apple or a small piece of fruit for the smoothie, with lemons and limes. You should also add some protein into your soup, like lean chicken, fish, beans or pulses. Drink lots of water and herbal tea.

When weaning yourself off the dreaded white stuff, you can help your body along by increasing the mineral chromium in your diet, which helps normalise blood sugar levels. You will find chromium in foods such as sweet potato, broccoli, oats and green beans, but if you are really struggling then you can safely supplement up to 100 mcg of chromium a day - if you are unsure then you should ask a nutritionist like me or another healthcare professional.

A final sugar-balancing hero is cinnamon sprinkle it on everything. It will help to keep you stable and help keep those crashes and cravings at bay.

And remember, with chocolate its much better to run a marathon than eat a Snickers

Excerpt from:
Rosemary Ferguson On Managing Your Post-Easter Sugar Intake - Vogue.co.uk

Kim Kardashian has shown off her six pound weight loss in a silver bikini days after she caused controversy by claiming flu is an amazing diet.

The reality star shed her clothes to pose for sexy selfies after dividing fans with her weight loss comments.

The "Keeping Up With The Kardashians"star posed for pictures in front of a mirror wearing nothing but a sparkly swimsuit.

But her weight loss comments sparked fury among some of her followers.

PICS: CLICK HERE FOR KIM'S BIKINI SHOTS

Kim came under fire this week after she called the flu an amazing dietbecause it helped her losesix pounds.

The reality star made the admission in a tweet and she has since been savaged by critics who accused her of promoting an unhealthy message.

The reality startook to Twitter on Wednesday to share the happy news, writing: The flu can be an amazing diet.

So happy it came in time for the Met lol #6lbsdown.

Kim is set to make her annual appearance at The Met Ball in New York next month and with just a couple of weeks to go, the mother-of-two is clearly keen to shave a couple of pounds off her frame to be red carpet ready.

But the statement was not popular with fans, who claimed Kim should not be using a life-threatening condition as a way to improve her figure.

FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK FOR MORE ENTERTAINMENT NEWS.

One tweeted: Did Kim k really say the flu is an amazing diet ???? What type of airhead believes that.

Another added: It sends dangerous messages & supports not being healthy as a valid weight loss technique. But I wonder why eating disorders are so common?

A third wrote: Now imagine saying that to your daughter after she gets sick

Read more:
Kim Kardashian poses in bikini after 'flu diet' - Fox News

wbur Bottles of Diet Coke. A new study has found an association between frequent drinking of diet sodas and an increased risk of both stroke and dementia. (Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

A new study has found an association between frequent drinking of diet sodas and an increased risk of both stroke and dementia.

Here & Now's Meghna Chakrabarti speaks with Dr. Matthew Pase,the study's lead author and a neurologist at the Boston University School of Medicine, about what it means for the average soda drinker.

On the studys findings

"It's important to note that our results are observational, which means we observe trends amongst a large group of people, but our results certainly do not suggest causality. In other words, we can't be sure that diet sodas are causing stroke or causing dementia. But we are seeing associations between those who more frequently consume diet soda, and a higher risk of both stroke and dementia within the next 10 years.

"Those who were drinking diet soda on a daily basis, their risk for stroke and dementia was about three times as high. As compared to someone who was not drinking diet soda." On whether the study looked at other possible variables behind the elevated risk

"Now that we're showing this association, it's going to be important to understand why that association might be there to try and understand it in more detail. It's possible that diet sodas are associated with risk factors like obesity and diabetes. This might be linked to a higher risk of stroke, or a higher risk of dementia. But on the other hand, it's also possible that those people who are unhealthy to begin with say, those who already have diabetes, who already have obesity gravitate more towards the diet sodas to begin with. So now this is something we really need to understand in more detail, to understand which way the association is going."

On the utility of the study if we can't understand cause and effect

"We don't have a lot of data on how diet beverages relate to a lot of different health outcomes. It takes a long time to develop stroke and a long time to develop dementia. It's not something that's really been investigated before. So now we really need these sorts of studies to investigate, what are the associations between diet beverages and different health outcomes, so that consumers can make informed choices about the beverages that they're having."

On how full-sugar soda is no better than diet soda

"That's an excellent point. We certainly don't recommend that people drink normal or regular sugary sodas. These are known to be associated with a range of different health issues such as weight gain and diabetes. Certainly drinking regular soda is not a healthy option. I guess our study is calling for people to be somewhat cautious about diet beverages, questioning whether they're a healthy alternative. But as I'm saying, we now need more research to investigate this further before we can make solid recommendations."

On how samples of different demographics may affect results

"I agree completely, and that's something we noted in our paper. One interesting thing about our study was that people were much more likely to drink diet beverages as compared to regular sodas. It's possible that we might see different associations in different groups that more frequently consumed regular soda, for example. So now we really are calling for other studies to see if our results hold up in other samples of different participants."

On why the study focuses on stroke and dementia

"These are the two diseases I am most interested in, and thus it's the two diseases I wanted to study. It's important to note that we know that increased sugar is associated with vascular risk factors, and this includes things like obesity and diabetes and high blood pressure. We know in turn that these conditions have adverse effects on the brain. So we felt it was important to understand the associations, therefore, between intake of regular soda, of diet soda, with different aspects of brain health."

This segment aired on April 21, 2017.

Read the original here:
New Study Says Diet Soda Linked To Stroke, Dementia05:15 - Here And Now

Good Food

by Jane Rice, April 21, 2017

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You know something billed as a high-fat diet is bound to create some buzzeven if it doesnt exactly mean eating Ho-Hos for breakfast. But as more and more celebs sign on (thinkMegan Fox, Adriana Lima, and Kim Kardashian), its hard to ignore: The ketogenic diet is having a moment.

At its core, the nearly-100-year-old approach to eating is acelebration ofhealthy fats(from fish to coconuts). Under the ketogenic diet, youre supposedto get a whopping 80 percent of your calories from fats, 15 from protein, and only 5 from carbsa ratio which science has shown to be effectivewhen it comes to weight loss. And yes, that meanslots of avocados.

Youre supposedto get a whopping 80 percent of your calories from fatswhich science has shown to be effectivewhen it comes to weight loss.

Almost every cell in our bodies can burn two fuels: glucose and ketones, explains keto evangelist Maria Emmerich, the best-selling author of The Ketogenic Cookbook and her newest, The 30-Day Ketogenic Cleanse. Glucose is made from sugar and ketones are made from fat. This lifestyle switches our bodies to burn ketones as its primary fuel source, she says. That means more balance for your bodyincluding your hormones and metabolism.

Emmerich says the diet is great for anyone who suffers from inflammation-related issues. She personally noticed a huge change: For years she adhered to a low-fat/high-grain diet, but still had acid reflux and weight issuesdespite being a marathon runner. I began reading all the latest science on nutrition while writing my books, and it brought me to a ketogenic diet, she says. Imsurprised just how good I feel.

Generally speaking, people notice a difference in about a month, hence her latest books 30-day peg. It takes about four to six weeks for your body to get efficient at using fatand ketonesfor fuel, she says. But after that transition time you should see [your] energy soar. An added bonus: she says you might notice a major mood boost and less brain fog, too.

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A cup of hot tea can be healing and good for your gut, but after Emmerich noticed that many loose teas have added sugar, she crafted the recipe for this homemade chai.The nut milk gives it a creamy texture and the cardamom addsan anti-inflammatory kick.

Ingredients8 whole cloves 7 cardamom pods 2 cinnamon sticks 1 1/2 tsp black peppercorns 1, 2-inch piece fresh ginger, sliced into thin rounds 5 cups cold water 5 bags black tea 2 cups unsweetenednut milk2 Tbsp Swerve confectioners sweetener 1 Tbsp coconut oil per cup of tea

1. Place the spices and ginger in a medium saucepan. Toast on low heat while lightly crushing the spices with the back of a spoon.

2. Add the water and bring to a boil. Once boiling, cover the pan, lower the heat, and simmer for five to ten minutes, depending on how strong you want the chai flavor. Remove from the heat.

3. Place the teabags in the saucepan and steep for four minutes. Remove the teabags and add the nutmilk and sweetener. Stir, taste, and add more sweetener if desired.

4. Bring the chai to a simmer over medium heat, then strain it into a teapot. Just before serving, place a tablespoon of coconut oil in each teacup, pour the hot tea over it, and whisk to blend the coconut oil into the tea. Store extra tea in an airtight container in the fridge for up to one week.

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These jiggly little fat bombs are perfectfor on-the-go energy, Emmerich sayskind of like a savory Jell-O. Or, throw one into any stew or soup that calls for bone broth to give a thicker texture and amp up the flavor.(Note: youll need a silicone mold with 12 cavities.)

Ingredients1 Tbsp grass-fed powdered gelatin2 cups bone broth, any type, warmed

1. Sprinkle the gelatin over the broth and whisk to combine.

2. Place the silicone mold on a rimmed sheet pan for easy transport. Pour the broth into the mold. Place in the fridge or freezer until the gelatin is fully set, about two hours. To release the fat bombs from the mold, gently push on the mold to pop them out.

3. Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to five days or in the freezer for several months.

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Ingredients1 Tbsp toasted sesame oil 1 Tbsp coconut oil 1 12 oz. package fully cooked pork belly cut into 1/4-inch dice 1/2 cup minced onions 2 cloves garlic 1 Tbsp red pepper flakes 4 cups chicken bone broth 2 Tbsp coconut aminos 1 Tbsp coconut vinegar 1 Tbsp grated fresh ginger 1 Tbsp tomato paste Fine sea salt and fresh ground black pepper 1 serving Zoodles (zucchini noodles) 4 large eggs, soft-boiled Sliced green onions, for garnish

1. Heat the oils in a large soup pot over medium heat. Fry the pork belly in the hot oil until crisp on all sides, about four minutes per side.

2. Remove the pork belly from the pot with a slotted spoon, leaving the fat in the pot. Add the onions, garlic, and red pepper flakes and cook over low heat for four minutes, or until the onions are translucent.

3. Add the chicken broth, coconut aminos, vinegar, ginger, and tomato paste and bring to a simmer over medium-high heat. Simmer for 8 minutes, then add salt and pepper to taste.

4. Just before serving, divide the zoodles among four bowls. Top each bowl with one cup of the broth. Place a soft-boiled egg in each bowl and garnish with green onions and red pepper flakes. This dish is best served freshly made.

For dessert, try making one of these (healthy) fat bombs. And if youre curious how the ketogenic diet compares to other eating plans,check out thishelpful guide.

Read more here:
Why the celeb-beloved ketogenic diet is having a moment - Well+Good

Time to face facts: You're not gonna finish all those shows.

There are a few things you can count on every spring: baseball, barbecues, a Drake album, and people telling you something about how you should do some spring cleaning. It's generally a good idea. Cleaning up can do a lot to make you feel more productive and cheer you up some, and it's a good way to welcome the wider world back into your life after a long winter hibernationgiven, of course, that you live somewhere that has a winter. But let me make a case for another kind of spring cleaning: one for your Netflix queue, that pile of books you've been meaning to get to, or those video games still in the shrink wrap.

Almost all cleaning is a solution to the same problem: too much stuff. Accumulate stuff, and that stuff is bound to get out of hand, thanks to, like, entropy and shit. Because of the internet and Netflix and all manner of smart, connected devices and apps, there is so much stuff to entertain ourselves with. Way too much. Getting to it all can feel like a chore, and well, that kind of defeats the purpose of entertainment, doesn't it?

So let mesomeone whose job it is to consume an unhealthy amount of entertainmenthelp you out with a few handy tips of tidying up your entertainment diet, a few things to help you sift through what's great and what's not, and generally come to terms with the notion thatas Linda Holmes wrote in this essential 2011 NPR essayyou're going to miss out on most things, and that's okay.

You will never be caught up with all your friends. Here is a fact of existence, one that holds true in your work life, social life, and even romantic life: Someone is going to try and bully you into watching a TV show. Before you let them, think long and hard about how big a part of your life this person is, and how much you value their happiness. Outside of a very small circle of people, the answer will probably be "not that much," and you can feel free to ignore their recommendations. This is just simple survival math. Let's say people actively watch between one and five shows at a time, and you've got maybe four people tops that you really want to actively talk shop with. There's enough TV out there that all of these people can have an entirely different lineup of shows, and none of them are ones you watch. You can't keep up with all that and still have time for what you want. Y'feel?

So make acquiescing to a friend's recommendation the lavish, special occasion that it is, and make sure they know how highly you think of them when you agree to check out something they tell you about. They will probably tell you to stop being such a diva about it. But tough noogies. Netflix isn't going to watch itself.

If it's been a month, it's time to move on. It's easy to spend a lot of time thinking you like something when... you might actually not. Ask yourself: If it's TV, how long has it been since you last dropped in on a show that you made an effort to follow, or watch all of? More than a month? You're probably better looking for something you like more.

I'm not saying that the only shows worth your time are the ones that make you immediately clamor for more, where resisting a binge becomes a test of willpower. But if you enjoy something, it ought to linger. It doesn't have to be in some profound or obsessive way that has you scouring the internet for easter eggs or drafting your own fan theories. It can be simple as, Hey, this silly sitcom makes me feel good. I want to see these people tell jokes and make ill-advised decisions again sometime soon.

If you can't remember the character's names, put the show on notice. It doesn't have to be bad news if you don't know the names of the main charactersas shows have become more sprawling and ambitious, it can be hard to get a bunch of names down while you're trying to orient yourself in a show's sprawling world. But if you don't actually know what any of the characters are named, you should be able to articulate something specific that you do like instead. If you don't, think about ditching it. Or making it what I call a "laundry show," something to put on while I'm doing laundry or assembling furniture. Everyone needs a good two or three laundry shows.

Do you have a favorite episode, or at least, remember one specific episode? In the streaming era, people making TV shows have all figured out what "good" TV is supposed to look and feel like: usually quite serious and cinematically shot, with an arty and catchy opening credits sequence. But sometimes, "Good TV" and actual good TV are kind of hard to distinguish.

I'm not saying that the only shows worth your time are the ones that make you immediately clamor for more, where resisting a binge becomes a test of willpower. But if you enjoy something, it ought to linger.

A litmus test: Try to tell someone you know about one specific episode. It can be a favorite, or it can just be memorable, but a TV show is made up of episodes, and the episodes should matter somehow, and have some kind of point, however small or silly it may be. Otherwise, you're stuck with what I call the House of Cards problem, wherein hours of television go down smooth but largely consist of empty calories, with the only truly important stuff happening at the first and final few minutes of every episode.

Don't get hung up on endings. You don't have to see how everything ends. Conversely, the time you spent with an entertainment property isn't invalid or a waste if you never make it to the end either. This last point is something well worth keeping in mind when it comes to lots of video games and most superhero comics books, which are sprawling and long and don't always have proper endings anyway. But if you do like endings and find the journey to get to them insurmountable, Wikis are your best friend.

Don't worry so much about missing things. Here's a secret: Even plot-heavy, weighty shows like The Americans still use "previously on" montages to catch you up on just the things that you need to know for the episode you're about to watch. Also, if a show's any good, an individual episode will also still be a satisfying, complete hour or half-hour of television, and the confusing parts you can sort out later whenever you do go back and watch what you've missed, if it's a show you truly love. Don't let a couple missed episodes weigh you down and turn something you love into something that makes you feel guilty.

This also works really well with a lot of comic books and serialized works, especially if they're published monthlyimportant plot points are often repeated, recap pages usually catch you up to speed. I wouldn't recommend skipping a boring chapter in most novels, but if you're reading a nonfiction book for pleasure? Skip away.

Binge/read/watch/play for the moment. "I'm catching up," is often a default opener for a lot of conversations about pop culture, and homie, it's not a race. Don't let entertainment feel like a to-do list. So what if someone says you need to plow through all the Marvel movies before the next one comes out? If you don't feel like watching one, don't watch it. All these things are here for youto make you laugh, think, puzzle, cry, dance or just forget about all the other shit you have to do for a little bit. Don't let anyone take that from you.

MORE STORIES LIKE THIS ONE

See the article here:
How to Clean Up Your Entertainment Diet - GQ Magazine

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Kim and Marc Ramirez of Clinton Township(Photo: Provided by Marc Ramirez, Provided by Marc Ramirez)

When Lois Maljakthinks of the switch to a plant-based way of eating, a quote from Hippocrates comes to mind: Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food.

Maljak, owner of Willow Pond Farm in Armada, is part of the miHealth North Macomb Challenge aplant-based diet campaignthat gets under way Saturday.

Health professionals believe that switching to a plant-based diet can help people get control of their health and off medication, and the challenge aims to deliver that message.

The challenge was brought about by several community members, including life coach Marc Ramirez, Ruth Heidebreicht of TheMitt.tv, an Internet-based broadcast company serving Macomb County,and Maljak, whose farm offers locally sourced dinnersand healthy living classes.

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At its core, a plant-based diet consists of eating fruits, vegetable, legumes, nuts and grains. It's devoid of animal fat.

A screening of the documentary film "Eating You Alive," featuring Ramirez, kicks off the nearly month-long challenge at 6 p.m. Saturdayat Grays Opera/Masonic Lodge, 231 N. Main St., Romeo.

By adopting a plant-based lifestyle more than five years ago, Ramirez of Clinton Township said he not only shed weight but cleared his medicine cabinet of daily doses of several medications, including daily insulin injections.

Ramirez, 49, is an AT&T operations manager and former University of Michigan football player. Along with his wife, Kim, he founded Chickpea and Bean, which offers plant-based lifestyle seminars and cooking classes.

The whole idea (for the challenge) is to try and get people to think a little bit differently about how we eat, Ramirez said.

The cost is $50, which also includes pre- and post-challenge blood testing for cholesterol, triglycerides and glucose. Blood testing begins April 29, and the 21-day challenge startsMay 1.

The campaign includes meetings on Wednesdays and Saturdays that will offer food demonstrations, samplings and lectures from renowned health professionals, including Dr. Joel Kahn, who also is an owner of Greenspace Caf in Ferndale, along with food demonstrations and samplings.

Along with the lectures, the challenge includesan iOS app or e-mail with all the foods, recipes, and nutritional values of the food during the challenge.

And because eating out can be daunting, a dozen area restaurants have developed plant-based menu items for the event.

For nearly a decade, Ramirez suffered from Type 2 diabetes, as did many of his eight siblings. Ramirez controlled his diabetes, a disease that affects millions, by taking insulin shots along with two oral medications. Ramirez also took medication for high cholesterol and blood pressure.

His eureka moment to do something about his condition came after watching the film "Forks Over Knives," which looks at how adopting a plant-based diet and avoiding processed foods can control or possibly reverse certain diseases. He also read Dr. Neal Barnard's "Program for Reversing Diabetes: The Scientifically Proven System for Reversing Diabetes Without Drugs."

Its helped me reverse all the chronic illnesses I had, Ramirez said.

Thechallenge cameabout through Ramirez's relationship with Willow Pond Farm, where Chickpea and Bean have hosted Farm to Table seminars, and TheMitt.tv.

Ruth Heidebreicht, owner and director of the nonprofit station thatprovides coverage of community events and government meetings, took the 21-day challenge, along with her staff.

Heidebreicht said shefelt like a million bucks afterward.

"One gal on our team lost 28 pounds and improved her blood pressure and cholesterol," Heidebreicht said.

Maljak, along with her daughter, have been following a plant-based diet. "We met Marc and he talked about reversing his diabetes," Maljak said. "I listened to hisstory and soon after I did my own journey."

Since then, she's dropped 44 pounds and is on what she describes as "lighter medication."

Admission to the optional film screening today of "Eating You Alive, is $10 per person.

Register for the challenge here.

Contact Susan Selasky at 313-222-6872 or sselasky@freepress.com. Follow @SusanMariecooks on Twitter.

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Challenge aims to introduce plant-based diet to Macomb County - Detroit Free Press

Carbs are an important energy source in our diets, but can having too many be bad for our health?

It depends on the type. In general, carbohydrates get a very bad reputation, Dr. Nuha El Sayed, a staff physician at the Joslin Diabetes Center in Boston, told Fox News. Carbohydrates are not all the same, and theyre not all bad. And eating too many carbs wont, for instance, lead to diabetes, she said.

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Lauri Wright, a dietitian and spokeswoman for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, told Fox News that generally speaking, about half of your daily calories ought to come from carbohydrates. Still, she noted, too many simple carbs like sugars and sweets can actually act as an inflammatory agent, causing damage to the linings of the arteries and affecting our heart health.

But given that carbs are an essential nutrient (they give us energy, after all), how can we incorporate them healthfully into our diet? Fox News spoke to Wright and El Sayed for their tips:

1. Reach for whole grains. All carbs are not created equally, Wright said. Reach for fruits, vegetables, and whole grains such as brown rice, she said, which are packed with nutrients like fiber, vitamins, and minerals.

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2. Avoid simple sugars. Try to cut back on simple sugars like sodas, candies, and white breads, which often lack important nutrients and antioxidants that you can find in whole grains and fruits, Wright said. For example, try a whole grain cereal with berries for breakfast, rather than coffee and a donut, she suggested.

3. Watch the portions. Carbohydrates pack a lot of energy, so always watch your portions, Wright said. That means one cup of pasta versus a whole plate full, or sticking to one breadstick rather than three or four, she said.

4. Be careful about what you add to your carbs. Also be careful about the sauces and spreads you add to your carbs, which could pack a lot of calories, Wright said. For a bagel, try a tablespoon of peanut butter versus a whole smear of cream cheese, or for pasta, go for marinara sauce rather than Alfredo sauce, Wright recommended.

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5. Focus on fiber. If you eat more fiber-rich carbohydrates, like fruits and vegetables, youll feel full faster and avoid the surge in blood sugar that you get from simpler carbohydrates, El Sayed said.

6. Above all, strive for a balanced diet. In the end, its all about a balanced diet, El Sayed said. Its not about limiting one food or another. Because when you go for a balanced diet, youre unlikely to overdo it on one particular macronutrient or another.

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6 tips for making carbs a healthy part of your diet - Fox News