Seafood for Diabetes Patients & Others

Thanks to Barbara Brown for letting us post this!

Among the delectable dishes included in THE DIABETES SEAFOOD COOKBOOK is:

Salmon with Black Bean Salsa - so beautiful you will want to make it all the time. The colors are exquisite and it takes very little time to prepare.

Serves 4 • Serving Size: 1/4 recipeSalmon2 tsp soy sauce1 Tbsp orange juice1 lb thick salmon fillet, skin removed, cut into 4 piecesBlack Bean Salsa15 oz black beans, drained and rinsed1 soft mango, diced1/2 tsp ground cumin1 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil1/2 cup chopped cilantro2 fresh limes, juiced2 Tbsp minced red onion1/8 tsp fine sea salt1/8 tsp freshly ground pepper

1. Mix soy sauce and orange juice in plastic bag. Add salmon and marinate for at least 20 minutes and up to 2 hours.

2. Mix black bean salsa ingredients together in large bowl. (Prepare salsa early in the day to allow flavors to blend.)

3. Preheat grill or grill pan. Add salmon and grill until nicely browned. 4. Place ∏ cup black bean salsa on plate and place salmon on top. Garnish with fresh cilantro sprigs (if desired).

EXCHANGES/CHOICES: 1/2 starch, 1/2 fruit, 4 lean meat, 1 fatCalories 295, Calories from Fat 110, Total Fat 12 G, Saturated Fat 2.1 G, Trans Fat 0 G,Cholesterol 75 MG, Sodium 360 MG, Total Carbohydrate 18 G, Dietary Fiber 4 G, Sugars 8 G, Protein 28 G

I'm Just Not That Sweet On You

Health Advice from King Hoover

By now you’ve easily been exposed to the High Fructose Corn Sweetener (HFCS) controversy. You know- those ads that talk about sharing a popsicle or what your children drink, and seem to clear up misconceptions about HFCS, but they reinforce some of the most dangerous falsehoods floated today. What is true is that HFCS does have the same calories as sugar, and it is from a natural source-corn--but what is far from true, in light of the most recent science, is far less light-hearted than the commercials themselves.

While table Sugar and HFCS are both sweet; this is where the similarity ends. Sugar or sucrose is quickly metabolized to glucose. Glucose can be used by every cell in the body, but Fructose must be metabolized in the liver which makes it a problem for many people. If you carry more than a few pounds of bodyfat, you could easily have a condition called Fatty Liver Syndrome, as serious as it sounds, it just means that your liver function is less efficient due to fat deposits in the liver- multiplying HFCS’ Dark side. If you drink much alcohol, even a mild case of Cirrhosis of the Liver also increases your risk from using HFCS, increased bodyfat, elevated cholesterol and blood sugar levels, diabetes, the list goes on.

The statement in each ad, that it’s ‘fine in moderation’ is completely untrue if you have either of these common conditions and because Adolescent Test Subjects were the most affected by this manufactured foodstuff’s negative effects, I question if it is even safe at all for children.
Sadly, children are the single demographic group whose food and drinks are heavily laden with HFCS and where advertising efforts are focused to boost sales. I used to think that the responsibility for the types and quality of food our children eat lay solely with their parents. While they do bear the Lion’s share of liability, I applaud recent moves to shame food companies that make Junk sound Wonderful.

So why am I on this Soapbox now? I am so glad you asked… In the last 30 years in my field, sometimes a study breaks that is so Powerful or Disturbing that I am moved as if by an Earthquake. The Journal of Experimental Medicine reported that “bad eating habits are capable of permanently altering DNA” effectively switching off genetic protections against Diabetes and Heart Disease. The researchers at the Baker IDI Heart and Diabetes Institute further stated that these gene alterations could last “months or years and may be passed down through bloodlines.” The biggest trigger in this gene mutating scenario was high levels of blood sugar. Just one sugar-binge was ‘remembered’ by the cells for up to 14 days, so with ‘friends’ like HFCS, who needs cigarettes?

So how do we get off the Good Ship Lollipop and back on the Love Boat? First, go through your pantry and throw away everything with HFCS on the label. If it’s not there to eat, it can’t hurt you. Second, try to work veggies into each meal. At breakfast, toss some broccoli, peppers, or tomatoes into your omelet, you’ll boost the nutrition and the fiber will slow the rise in blood sugar. Lastly, consume starchy foods or grains only after physical activity. After exercise, your muscles soak up sugar and carbs like sponges, this is when they’ll help, not hurt. I am all about Surprises, but when it comes to your health, some are not so Sweet.

Ezetimibe - Heart Health

I heard the above --was it a supplement or drug?--was good for your heart. So I asked King about it. Here's great heart health info for you, from our fitness guru:

It is a tradename for simvistatin, all 'statin' drugs (and it is a drug rather than a supplement) are highly refined doses of fungal toxins that have the effect of suppressing cholesterol production in humans. The downside is that they also can cause muscle breakdown (myolosis) where the muscle tissue is catabolized into chemicals- especially skeletal muscle, sometimes heart muscle- this overwhelms the kidneys with ammonia and other muscle-breakdown byproducts. A simlar action, but without as great a risk of side effects, due to lower potency and the presence of supporting nutrients in the source product, is Red Yeast Rice (RYR). This is a source Monacolin K which inhibits production of HMG-Coenzyme A Reductase. (I know, a mouthful.)

A highly concentrated form of this nutrient from RYR is the drug Lovastatin or Mevacor (by Merck). The good news, or God-News where we work, is that several different natural substances have the effect of lowering cholesterol production a little. Put them all together and you get a substantial reduction.

Polycosanol- (but only the kind from sugarcane) A waxy sterol that is a large molecule with a similar density/shape to HDL cholesterol butnot the downside of BEING cholesterol. HDL sweeps out LDL, it is the accumulation of LDL (slowly eliminated) day-by-day that causes checked levels to show high. It's as if you never cleaned up after yourself at the house, and eventually you have trouble moving around the place, or your Arteries.

Betasitosterol (called Corowise in Centrum products) Works similarly to the polycosanol. Garlic- a more complex suppression of production triggers.

Water-soluable fibers- Pectin from fruits, oatfiber, etc... that are dissolved into the blood and bind to cholesterol like magnets.

Energy Drinks Exposed

By King Hoover
Energy Drink and Caffeine Controversy

Well, if you're Russ Weiner, founder of ROCKSTAR energy drinks, you would say it takes being the son of two world-class herbalists who have written 20 books on health and nutrition. Let's look at the ingredients in ROCKSTAR and their functions.

Per serving (2 per can) ROCKSTAR offers:
L-Taurine- 946 milligrams- Helps stabilize the excitability of membranes which is very important in the control of epileptic seizures. Taurine and sulfur are considered to be factors necessary for the control of many biochemical changes that take place in the aging process; aids in the clearing of free radical wastes. Taurine also functions to fuel intense muscular contractions making it good for working or working out. Taurine is a non-essential sulfur-containing amino acid that functions with glycine and another amino acid as a neuroinhibitory transmitter. It also plays an important role in bile acid metabolism. Taurine is one of the most abundant bile acid where it helps to emulsify dietary fats in the intestine, promoting digestion.

Guarana- 200 milligrams- Brazilian herb with some stimulant properties, guarananine is related to caffeine’s class of chemicals. Guarana also has about 5.5% caffeine by weight.

Caffeine- 75 milligrams- Caffeine is really broken down into 3 distinct compounds in the body that contribute to its overall effect. They are 1st Paraxanthine (84%) increasing lipolysis (the emptying of fat cells so the fatty acids can be burned) and free fatty acid levels in the blood. 2nd Theobromine (12%) Dilates (opens) blood vessels allowing for the easier transport of more fatty acids and other nutrients to the brain and muscles (and makes you have to go to the bathroom). This is the principle stimulant chemical in chocolate. 3rd Theophylline (4%) Relaxes the smooth muscle of the bronchi in the lungs and separately is used to treat asthma. The therapeutic dose of this chemical is much higher than the levels attained by caffeine consumption. NOTE: this is the same effective chemical in the thigh-reducing crèmes so popular a few years ago.

Inositol- 25 milligrams- A lipotropic or fat transporting vitamin, helps reduce cholesterol levels, hardening of the arteries and prevent hair loss. This is a low dose though, recommendations are much higher for any real lipotropic effect.

L-Carnitine- 25 milligrams- The major function of carnitine is to act as a carrier of fatty acids into the mitochondria where they can be burned for fuel, which makes it important for fat loss.

Eleutherococcus Senticosus- 25 milligrams- This is the ‘formal name’ for Siberian Ginseng, its one of the lesser known but more common types you find in supplements today. The #1 thing to remember about ginsengs is that that their designation, or category, in the U.S. Pharmacopea is as an adaptogen. This is a very difficult category to get into because the compound has to have a protective effect against all 3 types of stresses: Chemical, Psychological (nervous system) and Physical. This is a pretty low dose and herb effectiveness is based on how much of the active-compounds are present, but here are some of the benefits of including this ginseng on your diet.

Specifically, Siberian ginseng may help to help prevent stress-related illnesses by managing our body’s responses to stress, relieve symptoms of chronic Fatigue syndrome and Fibromyalgia, increase mental alertness and accuracy and increase our resistance to respiratory tract infections.

Milk Thistle- 20 milligrams- This herb contains a collection of chemicals that have 2 main functions for the health of the liver and since the liver performs hundreds of vital processes every hour of the day, it’s a good idea to take care of it. 1st Protection of the liver cells from damaging chemicals in your diet, environmental toxins and free radical damage. . .2nd Enhancing the production by the liver cells of enzymes vital to the liver’s proper functioning, thus speeding recovery from an injury and even stimulating regeneration of new liver tissue.

Ginkgo- 15 milligrams- The Ginkgo tree is so unique, it has its own classification in flora. It has been used as food and medicine for 4,000 years and traditional Chinese herbalists still rely on it to treat asthma, bronchitis and brain disorders. Its primary uses are: Improves memory and other cognitive functions, enhances circulation to the brain, heart, limbs, ears and eyes, may help reduce cardiovascular risks, potent antioxidant effects, used in treating cerebral insufficiency, senile dementia, Alzheimer's disease.

Again, this is a small dose, but I have outlined some of the benefits of adding Ginkgo to your supplement program.

B-2 or Riboflavin- 200% of the USRDI- Like other B vitamins, it supports energy production by aiding in the metabolizing of fats, carbs and proteins, it is also required for red blood cell formation and respiration, antibody production, regulating growth hormone and thyroid production.

Vitamin C- 60 milligrams 100% of the USRDI-
B-5 or Pantothenic Acid- 50% of the USRDI- The B’s work together to break down carbs, fats and proteins, but B-5 has some interesting functions in helping to control acne, preventing arthritis conditions and reducing allergies.

Niacinamide- 50% of the USRDI- Similar role in energy metabolism as we’ve discussed, but is also helpful in living cell and DNA repair. Even a small deficiency slows metabolism, decreases cold-tolerance and is a potential contributing factor towards obesity.

B-6 – 50% of the USRDI- This vitamin is a component of a large number of enzymes, so much so that almost every body system relies on it for optimal function. It is beneficial for maintaining nerve health, minimizing the symptoms of PMS, promotes health kidney activity and lung function.

B-12 – 50% of the USRDI- B-12 is often called ‘the energy vitamin’, but few folks know why. Anemia is the lack of sufficient red blood cells and therefore, not enough oxygen being carried to all your systems- kinda like suffocating on the inside. Until 1948, pernicious anemia would very likely kill you, unless you choked down 2/3 of a pound of raw liver every day, now we can just take a small amount of the vitamin responsible.

Even a slight deficiency will have negative health effects, depression, forgetfulness, even incontinence can result. It is essential to every cell in your body since it must be on hand for DNA synthesis.

Taking King's Advice

King Hoover, our Friday Fitness expert, has long advocated flax seed and fish oil capsules as a way to get healthy. One of our frequent callers, Dennis from Indiana, sent in a picture and testimony about the products King recommends. Dennis says they have made him feel better and lose weight!

How to Get Cravers!

Here is the link! These are great!

http://fitforaking1.getprograde.com/cravers

King on Green Tea

25 Reasons Why You Should Start Drinking Green Tea

1. Green Tea and Cancer--Green tea helps reduce the risk of cancer. The antioxidant in green tea is 100 times more effective than vitamin C and 25 times better than vitamin E. This helps your body at protecting cells from damage believed to be linked to cancer.

2. Green Tea and Heart Disease--Green tea helps prevent heart disease and stroke by lowering the level of cholesterol. Even after the heart attack, it prevents cell deaths and speeds up the recovery of heart cells.

3. Green Tea and Anti-Aging--Green tea contains antioxidant known as polyphenols which fight against free radicals. What this means it helps you fight against aging and promotes longevity.

4. Green Tea and Weight Loss--Green tea helps with your body weight loss. Green tea burns fat and boosts your metabolism rate naturally. It can help you burn up to 70 calories in just one day.

5. Green Tea and Skin--Antioxidant in green tea protects the skin from the harmful effects of free radicals, which cause wrinkling and skin aging. Green tea also helps fight against skin cancer.

6. Green Tea and Arthritis--Green tea can help prevent and reduce the risk of rheumatoid arthritis. Green tea has benefit for your health as it protects the cartilage by blocking the enzyme that destroys cartilage.

7. Green Tea and Bones--The very key to this is high fluoride content found in green tea. It helps keep your bones strong. If you drink green tea every day, this will help you preserve your bone density.

8. Green Tea and Cholesterol--Green tea can help lower cholesterol level. It also improves the ratio of good cholesterol to bad cholesterol, by reducing bad cholesterol level.

9. Green Tea and Obesity--Green tea prevents obesity by stopping the movement of glucose in fat cells. If you are on a healthy diet, exercise regularly and drink green tea, it is unlikely you'll be obese.

10. Green Tea and Diabetes--Green tea improves lipid and glucose metabolisms, prevents sharp increases in blood sugar level, and balances your metabolism rate.

11. Green Tea and Alzheimer's--Green tea helps boost your memory. And although there's no cure for Alzheimer's, it helps slow the process of reduced acetylcholine in the brain, which leads to Alzheimer's.

12. Green Tea and Parkinson's--Antioxidants in green tea helps prevent against cell damage in the brain, which could cause Parkinson's. People drinking green tea also are less likely to progress with Parkinson's.

13. Green Tea and Liver Disease--Green tea helps prevent transplant failure in people with liver failure. Researches showed that green tea destroys harmful free radicals in fatty livers.

14. Green Tea and High Blood Pressure--Green tea helps prevent high blood pressure. Drinking green tea helps keep your blood pressure down by repressing angiotensin, which leads to high blood pressure.

15. Green Tea and Food Poisoning--Catechin found in green tea can kill bacteria which causes food poisoning and kills the toxins produced by those bacteria.

16. Green Tea and Blood Sugar--Blood sugar tends to increase with age, but polyphenols and polysaccharides in green tea help lower your blood sugar level.

17. Green Tea and Immunity--Polyphenols and flavenoids found in green tea help boost your immune system, making your health stronger in fighting against infections.

18. Green Tea and Cold and Flu--Green tea prevents you from getting a cold or flu. Vitamin C in green tea helps you treat the flu and the common cold.

19. Green Tea and Asthma--Theophylline in green tea relaxes the muscles which support the bronchial tubes, reducing the severity of asthma.

20. Green Tea and Ear Infection--Green tea helps with ear infection problem. For natural ear cleaning, soak a cotton ball in green tea and clean the infected ear.

21. Green Tea and Herpes--Green tea increases the effectiveness of topical interferon treatment of herpes. First green tea compress is applied, and then let the skin dry before the interferon treatment.

22. Green Tea and Tooth Decay--Green tea destroys bacteria and viruses that cause many dental diseases.It also slows the growth of bacteria which leads to bad breath.

23. Green Tea and Stress--L-theanine, which is a kind of amino acids in green tea, can help relieve stress and anxiety.

24. Green Tea and Allergies--EGCG found in green tea relieves allergies. So, if you have allergies, you should really consider drinking green tea.

25. Green Tea and HIV--Scientists in Japan have found that EGCG (Epigallocatechin Gallate) in green tea can stop HIV from binding to healthy immune cells. What this means is that green tea can help stop the HIV virus from spreading.