One in five women has history of painful urinary tract infections. "I had three in one year," says Patty Buxton, a Colorado secondary-school teacher. Reading that cranberry juice may help prevent these infections, Buxton went on a regimen a year ago, and since then she's been infection-free. She thinks cranberry juice did the trick. Cranberry juice is not the only food that may offer protection from specific illness. Here's a list of food that may provide protection from ailments that often target women or men.
Food for Men
1. Tomato sauce
Men who eat a lot of tomatoes. tomato sauce, or pizza smothered with the stuff may be giving themselves a hedge against prostate cancer. So say researchers at Harvard University, who studied the eating habit more than 47,000 male health professionals. They found that men who ate tomato sauce two to four time per week had a 35 percent lower risk of developing prostate cancer than men who ate none. A carotenoid called lycopene, which tomatoes contain in abundance, appeared to be responsible. But scientists were puzzled: tomato juice didn't seem to have a protective effect. Other research showed why. For best absorption, lycopene should be cooked with some kind of fat. So pizza may be just what doctor ordered.
2. Oysters
Myth has it that oysters are the food of love. Science may agree. Just two to three oyster deliver a fully day's supply zinc, a mineral critical for normal functioning of the male reproductive system. Scientists are divided over reports that sperm counts have declined over the last 50 years and that environmental factors are to blame. Nutritional deficiencies cases of low testosterone. Getting adequate zinc is sometimes the answer (up to 15 milligrams per day recommended for men; more than 40 milligrams can pose risks.) In one trial 22 men with low testosterone levels and sperm counts were given zink everyday for 45 to 50 days. Testosterone level and sperm counts rose.
3. Broccoli
A recent Harvard study find that cruciferous vegetables, like broccoli, may protect againts bladder cancer, which is common among Asian men. Scientists analysed the diet of nearly 50,000 men and discovered that those who ate five serving or more perweek of cruciferous veggies were half as likely to develop bladder cancer over a ten-year period as menwho rarely ate them. And broccoliand cabbage were singled out as the most protective food.
4. Peanut butter
If you want a healthy heart, spread your morning toast with peanut butter. Heart disease is the leading killer of men and women, but men fall victim at an earlier age. Researchers from Pennsylvanian State University compared the cholesterol lowering effect of the Step II Diet of the American Heart Association. (AHA) with a higher fat diet based on peanuts, The AHA plan included more carbohydrates. The peanut regimen was 36 percent fat. After 24 days both diets lowered "bad" LDL cholesterol. But the peanut plan also caused a drop in blood fats called triglycerides and did not decrease HDL, the "good" cholesterol. The AHA diet raised level of triglycerides and lowered level of HDL. "Peanut butter is a little higher in fat," say Penny Kris-Etherton, the lead author of the study. "But it's the type that's good for you- monounsaturated fat." Researchers have predicted that the peanut diet could reduce heart-disease risk even more than the AHA diet could. Just don't go nutty plastering on the tasty spread, since it is high in kilo joules.
5. Watermelon
Until the age of 55, more men suffer from high blood pressure than do women. Research suggests that foods rich in potassium can reduce the risk of high blood pressure and stroke. The evidence is so convincing that the US Food and Drug Administration recently allowed food labels to bear a health claim about the connection between potassium-rich foods and blood pressure.
"A good goal for potassium is about 2000 milligram or more a day, " says Antigone Blazos, a lecturer at the Asia Pacific Health and Nutrition Centre in Melbourne, Australia. Watermelon is rich source of this mineral and has more potassium- 664 milligrams - in just one larges lice than the amount found in a banana or glass of orange juice. So cut yourself another slice and enjoy its cool taste.
Food for women.
1. Papaya
This fruit packs about twice the vitamin C of an orange. Add it to your arsenal against gallbladder disease, which afflict twice as many women as men. After analyzing the blood of over 13,000 people, scientist from the University of California, San Francisco found that women who had lower level of vitamin C were more likely to have gallbladder illnesses.
One medium papaya (about 280 grams), with 188 milligrams of C and a mere 500 kilojoules, is refreshing source of the vitamin. Best of all, it's probably growing in you garden.
2. Flaxseed
Bakers use this nutty-flavored seed mainly to add flavors and fiber. But scientist see the tiny reddish-brown seed, rich in estrogen-like compounds called lignans, as a potential weapon against breast cancer. An exciting report at last year's San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium showed that adding flaxseed to the diet of women with breast cancer effectively slowed tumor growth. You can flavour your muffins with flaxseed, but the easiest way to get the beneficial lignans is to sprinkle a few tablespoons of ground flaxseed on your morning cereal. Look for the seed in health food shop. They're easy to grind in a blender or coffee grinder. But get seed- there are no lignans in the oil.
3. Tofu
Food high in soya protien can lower cholesterol and may minimize menopausal hot flushes and strengthen bone. Isoflavones, plant chemicals in soyabeands that have a structure similar to estrogen, may be the reason. Though animal studies from bulk of the evidence, a human study found that 90 milligrams of isoflavones was beneficial to bone (specifically the spine). And two other studies suggest that 50 to 76 milligrams of isoflavones a day may offer some relief from hot flushes. Half a cup tofu contains about 25 to 35 milligrams of isoflavones.
4. Pork
Due largely to menstruation, women tend to be more anemic than men. And low iron level in blood can cause fatigue. To get a good dose of iron, try pork. It has what every diet-conscious woman wants- lot of iron and fat can be easily removed, compared to most cuts of meat. According to most cut Information Center in Singapore, a palm-size pork steak has about 1.4 milligram of iron. Best of all, say Dr. Mark Wahlqvist, president of the International Union of Nutrition Sciences, eating a small amount of pork with meal increases the absorption of iron from accompanying vegetables and cereals.
5. Cabbage
This humble vegetable may help fight osteoporosis, which affect many women late in life. In addition to getting adequate amounts of calcium and vitamin D, some studies suggest that vitamin K may have a bone-protective effect as well.
Based on data from one of the largest studies of women, the Nurses' Health Study, researchers discovered that women who ate enough vitamin K-rich foods (at least 109 micro grams of the vitamin daily) were 30 per cent less likely to suffer a hip fracture during ten years of follow-up than women who ate less. Researchers point out that dark-green leafy vegetables- brussels sprouts, spinach, broccoli- are all good source of the vitamin. But cabbage is among the best.
Food for Men
1. Tomato sauce
Men who eat a lot of tomatoes. tomato sauce, or pizza smothered with the stuff may be giving themselves a hedge against prostate cancer. So say researchers at Harvard University, who studied the eating habit more than 47,000 male health professionals. They found that men who ate tomato sauce two to four time per week had a 35 percent lower risk of developing prostate cancer than men who ate none. A carotenoid called lycopene, which tomatoes contain in abundance, appeared to be responsible. But scientists were puzzled: tomato juice didn't seem to have a protective effect. Other research showed why. For best absorption, lycopene should be cooked with some kind of fat. So pizza may be just what doctor ordered.
2. Oysters
Myth has it that oysters are the food of love. Science may agree. Just two to three oyster deliver a fully day's supply zinc, a mineral critical for normal functioning of the male reproductive system. Scientists are divided over reports that sperm counts have declined over the last 50 years and that environmental factors are to blame. Nutritional deficiencies cases of low testosterone. Getting adequate zinc is sometimes the answer (up to 15 milligrams per day recommended for men; more than 40 milligrams can pose risks.) In one trial 22 men with low testosterone levels and sperm counts were given zink everyday for 45 to 50 days. Testosterone level and sperm counts rose.
3. Broccoli
A recent Harvard study find that cruciferous vegetables, like broccoli, may protect againts bladder cancer, which is common among Asian men. Scientists analysed the diet of nearly 50,000 men and discovered that those who ate five serving or more perweek of cruciferous veggies were half as likely to develop bladder cancer over a ten-year period as menwho rarely ate them. And broccoliand cabbage were singled out as the most protective food.
4. Peanut butter
If you want a healthy heart, spread your morning toast with peanut butter. Heart disease is the leading killer of men and women, but men fall victim at an earlier age. Researchers from Pennsylvanian State University compared the cholesterol lowering effect of the Step II Diet of the American Heart Association. (AHA) with a higher fat diet based on peanuts, The AHA plan included more carbohydrates. The peanut regimen was 36 percent fat. After 24 days both diets lowered "bad" LDL cholesterol. But the peanut plan also caused a drop in blood fats called triglycerides and did not decrease HDL, the "good" cholesterol. The AHA diet raised level of triglycerides and lowered level of HDL. "Peanut butter is a little higher in fat," say Penny Kris-Etherton, the lead author of the study. "But it's the type that's good for you- monounsaturated fat." Researchers have predicted that the peanut diet could reduce heart-disease risk even more than the AHA diet could. Just don't go nutty plastering on the tasty spread, since it is high in kilo joules.
5. Watermelon
Until the age of 55, more men suffer from high blood pressure than do women. Research suggests that foods rich in potassium can reduce the risk of high blood pressure and stroke. The evidence is so convincing that the US Food and Drug Administration recently allowed food labels to bear a health claim about the connection between potassium-rich foods and blood pressure.
"A good goal for potassium is about 2000 milligram or more a day, " says Antigone Blazos, a lecturer at the Asia Pacific Health and Nutrition Centre in Melbourne, Australia. Watermelon is rich source of this mineral and has more potassium- 664 milligrams - in just one larges lice than the amount found in a banana or glass of orange juice. So cut yourself another slice and enjoy its cool taste.
Food for women.
1. Papaya
This fruit packs about twice the vitamin C of an orange. Add it to your arsenal against gallbladder disease, which afflict twice as many women as men. After analyzing the blood of over 13,000 people, scientist from the University of California, San Francisco found that women who had lower level of vitamin C were more likely to have gallbladder illnesses.
One medium papaya (about 280 grams), with 188 milligrams of C and a mere 500 kilojoules, is refreshing source of the vitamin. Best of all, it's probably growing in you garden.
2. Flaxseed
Bakers use this nutty-flavored seed mainly to add flavors and fiber. But scientist see the tiny reddish-brown seed, rich in estrogen-like compounds called lignans, as a potential weapon against breast cancer. An exciting report at last year's San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium showed that adding flaxseed to the diet of women with breast cancer effectively slowed tumor growth. You can flavour your muffins with flaxseed, but the easiest way to get the beneficial lignans is to sprinkle a few tablespoons of ground flaxseed on your morning cereal. Look for the seed in health food shop. They're easy to grind in a blender or coffee grinder. But get seed- there are no lignans in the oil.
3. Tofu
Food high in soya protien can lower cholesterol and may minimize menopausal hot flushes and strengthen bone. Isoflavones, plant chemicals in soyabeands that have a structure similar to estrogen, may be the reason. Though animal studies from bulk of the evidence, a human study found that 90 milligrams of isoflavones was beneficial to bone (specifically the spine). And two other studies suggest that 50 to 76 milligrams of isoflavones a day may offer some relief from hot flushes. Half a cup tofu contains about 25 to 35 milligrams of isoflavones.
4. Pork
Due largely to menstruation, women tend to be more anemic than men. And low iron level in blood can cause fatigue. To get a good dose of iron, try pork. It has what every diet-conscious woman wants- lot of iron and fat can be easily removed, compared to most cuts of meat. According to most cut Information Center in Singapore, a palm-size pork steak has about 1.4 milligram of iron. Best of all, say Dr. Mark Wahlqvist, president of the International Union of Nutrition Sciences, eating a small amount of pork with meal increases the absorption of iron from accompanying vegetables and cereals.
5. Cabbage
This humble vegetable may help fight osteoporosis, which affect many women late in life. In addition to getting adequate amounts of calcium and vitamin D, some studies suggest that vitamin K may have a bone-protective effect as well.
Based on data from one of the largest studies of women, the Nurses' Health Study, researchers discovered that women who ate enough vitamin K-rich foods (at least 109 micro grams of the vitamin daily) were 30 per cent less likely to suffer a hip fracture during ten years of follow-up than women who ate less. Researchers point out that dark-green leafy vegetables- brussels sprouts, spinach, broccoli- are all good source of the vitamin. But cabbage is among the best.
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