Have nuts with that beer
Go ahead — have a handful of nuts with your beer. Studies show that the fat and fiber in nuts can slow the absorption of alcohol in your bloodstream and decrease your risk of a heart attack by boosting HDL (good) cholesterol and thinning your blood.
But moderation is the key, advises a story in the November issue of Men’s Health.
Keep the amount to 3 ounces of nuts and just one or two glasses of beer or wine daily.
Other food combinations can be equally good for your health. Rutgers University scientists Allan Conney and George C. Wagner joined forces to find that combining caffeine with exercise can protect you from skin cancer by helping damaged skin cells to self-destruct before they turn cancerous.
Here are other fabulous food pairings:
* Selenium-rich tuna and halibut with cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts or cabbage. British researchers found that together they are 13 times more effective at slowing cancer growth than when eaten individually.
* Avocado and salsa. Eating salsa or salads topped with brightly colored vegetables along with a little fat such as avocado, an ounce of cheese or 2 tablespoons of full-fat ranch dressing can turn them into disease-fighting compounds, say Ohio State University researchers.
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How resting burns fat
Don’t just keep pedaling non-stop during your vigorous workout. Stop and relax awhile. A study reported in the Journal of Applied Psychology found that taking a break from a workout can burn more fat than exercising continuously.
The scientists measured fat metabolism in men who participated in three tests, says a story in the November issue of Women’s Health. First, they pedaled on a stationary bike for 60 minutes. Next, they pedaled for 30 minutes and sat for 20. Then they pedaled for 30 and sat for 60 minutes.
Those who took a break burned three times more stored fat at the 50-minute mark.
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A place for caregivers
Caregiving is tough, so why go through it alone? Ask questions, share information and get an outlet for your emotions through CareShare, a free Internet forum.
The site, at http://forums .delphiforums.com/careshare, was begun by New Yorker Audrey Guggenheim shortly after her mother was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. It’s a reliable place for caregivers to find others who can relate to their experiences and offer an objective ear and an open heart.
This 24/7 online community is a place for caregivers to chat, blog and even play games to temporarily take their minds off of difficult situations. It also contains a lot of useful information posted by caregivers.
