Low-carbohydrate diet may be the best choice for helping people lower their blood pressure.

In a recent study, researchers say a low-carbohydrate diet was as effective at helping people lose weight.

Study found that people who were on the low-carb diet were more successful at lowering their blood pressure than those following the other diet.

Source: For Lower Blood Pressure, Low-Carb Diet May Be Best

Researchers found that the slower the structures at the end of their cells’ chromosomes shrank coronary heart disease patients consumed omega-3 fatty acids more often.

Foods that are high in omega-3 fatty acids include mackerel, salmon, herring, and albacore tuna.

Further reading: Shedding Light on Why Omega-3 Fatty Acids May Help the Heart

Those who consumed the most saturated fat were not more likely to develop heart disease than their peers.

The study’s authors say that further studies are needed to determine if heart disease risks are possibly influenced by nutrients used to replace saturated fat

Source: Meta-analysis of prospective cohort studies evaluating the association of saturated fat with cardiovascular disease

Stephen Gallacher, a consultant physician who is head of South Glasgow’s fracture liaison service comment that “Vitamin D seems to play a key role in many systems in the body, not just bones, but diseases like diabetes and certain cancers.”

Vitamin D deficiency was linked to poor bone density and osteoporosis, and could occur in younger patients.

Dr Gallacher believe  that  bone density can increase by 20 per cent in a few months with enough vitamin D by taking a supplement.

Source: Vitamin D shortage linked to bone fractures

Pomegranate

U.S. researchers discovered that there are 10 natural compounds found in pomegranates appears to reduce the risk of estrogen-fueled breast cancer.

And how do these compounds work? The chemicals block an enzyme associated with tumors called aromatase.

“We identified some of these chemicals in pomegranates that actually have properties that can suppress aromatase,” researcher Shiuan Chen, of the City of Hope cancer research and treatment center in Duarte, California, said in a telephone interview.

Previous research suggests that pomegranates may also be helpful in reducing the risk of heart disease and Alzheimer’s disease.

For further reading: Pomegranate compounds may ease breast cancer risk

Whole grains control body weight better

Harvard University researchers who, after more than 8 years of analysing the diets of more than 30,000 people , discovered that those who ate whole grains daily weighed 2.5 pounds less than those who ate only refined-grain foods.

The antioxidants in whole grains help control inflammation and insulin. Thus eating whole grains won’t cause spiking in blood sugar inside our body.

As extra wonder, whole grains also strengthen your heart, helping you live longer.

Nuts Help You to Lose More Weight

Nuts are packed with monounsaturated fatty acids that lower your risk of heart disease and diabetes.

According to researchers from Georgia Southern University, eating a high-protein nuts such as almonds increases your calorie burn.

New York Presbyterian Hospital discovered that just 1 ounce of almonds boosts vitamin E levels, increasing memory and cognitive performance.

Those who like to eat pistachios tend to lose 10 to 12 pounds, on average after eating them for 3 months.

A plays a crucial role in vision and may protect against some cancers.

B1, B2 and B3 help your body process carbs and protein.

B12 may reduce your risk of osteoporosis and Alzheimer’s.

C keeps skin supple and helps your body absorb iron.

Calcium helps maintain strong bones, thus protecting against osteoporosis, and may aid in weight loss. In one study, people who ate three servings a day of low-fat yogurt lost 60 percent more fat than those who didn’t eat dairy.

D aids your body’s calcium absorption.

E helps your brain and eyes stave off disease. It may also decrease the risk of death from heart disease.

Folic acid may lower blood pressure, and taking it before conception and while pregnant can slash birth-defect risk by as much as 70 percent. Note: This is the only nutrient your body actually absorbs better from a pill than from food.

Iron combats fatigue and increases blood circulation.

Zinc is necessary for maintaining your sense of smell and healing wounds. Some studies have found that taking zinc can shorten the duration of the common cold, too.

As we say goodbye to 2009 and usher  into 2010, there are lovely memories as well as pain in the ass ones.

1. Noodle

La Mien

Being a Malaysian Chinese, I know that noodles, for example La Mien (拉面) (long noodle), are served on New Year. It symbolises longevity and continous good fortune.

2. Fish

Fish - rich in Omega 3s Protein

Fish are served in Asia, European and North America on New Year. In Chinese culture, fish or yu (鱼) in Mandarin is symbolised with abundance, also pronunced as yu (余).

3. Grape

Grapes

Every year since, Spanish people have brought in the New Year by eating 12 grapes as the clock strikes midnight. At each strike of the Plaza del Sol clock, another grape is eaten in celebration of lucky years past, and in hope of a lucky year to come.

4. Cabbage

Cabbage

Associated with moeny because of the colour green, people eat cabbage in Ireland, USA and Germany during New Year.

5. Black-eyed Peas

Black-eyed Peas

In Southern America, black-eyed peas are thought to bring wealth because they look like little coins.

Happy New Year