Probiotics

Source
Dr. Briffa's latest blog post about probiotics is very interesting. As someone who takes probiotics daily, I especially found it interesting that they may help prevent common illnesses, such as cold or flu, in children. I've been giving my kids probiotics as well and now that I think about it, we have had less of the sickies around here than we usually do. Of course the true test may come when winter sets in and everyone we come in contact with is hacking and sniffling.

For those who aren't familiar with probiotics, here's the definition from Wikipedia:

Probiotics are dietary supplements of live microorganisms thought to be healthy for the host organism. According to the currently adopted definition by FAO/WHO, probiotics are: "Live microorganisms which when administered in adequate amounts confer a health benefit on the host". Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) and bifidobacteria are the most common types of microbes used as probiotics; but also certain yeasts and bacilli are available.

At first, probiotics were thought to beneficially affect the host by improving its intestinal microbial balance, thus inhibiting pathogens and toxin producing bacteria. Today specific health effects are being investigated and documented including alleviation of chronic intestinal inflammatory diseases, prevention and treatment of pathogen-induced diarrhea, urogenital infections, and atopic diseases.

I buy my probiotics from GNC and, if I remember correctly, they contain around 14 million live bacteria. (Do they pay someone to sit in a lab and look at these with a micrscope, while they count 14 million of these little suckers???)

For those of you who eat store bought yogurt, (watch those carbs!) Activa has probiotics in it as well, but I'm told it's not as effective as taking the supplements.

Links you should see

Here are some links I've found recently I felt were worth sharing:

Dr. Mike Eades teaches us how to approach our doctors in regards to low-carb plans.

Dr. Briffa discusses the findings that prove there is "publication bias" in regards to study results. (I know. You are all in shock to think a drug company would be misleading about their findings. "Say it ain't so Tater!")

Jonny Bowden has a great post about examining our anchors. Lots to think about on this one!

Mark Sisson discusses a fall favorite - Pumpkin!

Enjoy and I'll try to be back later with more.

Drive-By Blogging

Sorry. All I have time for today is a drive-by. I have a lot of work to do and a lot of schooling to catch up on. So here's the run down...

Must-Reads:

Tired of hearing the old "The Chinese aren't unhealthy and look at all the carbs they eat!!" mantra? Check out this study brought to our attention by Dr. Mike Eades. Then, as Dr. Mike suggests, keep this reference handy for the next time you encounter this question.

Is Candida or yeast sabotaging your weight loss efforts? If you are having problems losing weight, this very well could be the case. Check out this great blog post from my friend Jennier Eloff, author of several fabulous low-carb cookbooks (two of which I'll be reviewing soon). Be sure to check out her other great posts as well and leave her a comment! :)

Dr. John Briffa gives us more evidence that using BMI is just bunk when it comes to assessing health.


Ok.. all I have time for right now. Maybe I can sneak back in later with more.

HAPPY READING!!!

Another great read from Dr. Briffa

Once again Dr. Briffa has taken the time to share with us a fascinating study on abdominal obesity and dementia. There's nothing I can add to this that would be beneficial, so I'll just let you read it and enjoy. I will say that it makes me even more determined to take care of myself!

Today's Must See Links

Hello everyone! I hope you are having a wonderful holiday so far. Enjoy yourselves, but don't let the festivities be an excuse to pig out on carbs that will just make you sick and angry with yourself. Stick with the healthy low-carb foods and your body will thank you for it!

This weekend will be crazy for me. The New Year is just around the corner and my daughter's birthday is tomorrow, so my to-do list is rather long right now. I'm going to share a few great links with you today. Enjoy!


It's About Time!
Dr. Mary Vernon has a terrific post here on her blog today. She explains that the American Diabetes Association is finally coming around to seeing the truth. They are coming online today to announce that they have reversed their position on the Atkins diet and the role carbohydrates play in managing diabetes. Folks, this is HUGE! While Dr. Vernon isn't overly impressed, I do feel this is a great step in the right direction for those of us who have been fighting hard for low-carb to get the credit it deserves. This could ultimately help open the door for the public to learn the truth about the health benefits of low-carb living. I fully expect the media to fight this tooth and nail, not to mention all the low-fat zealots and PETA freaks we'll see come out of the woodwork. But in the end I believe the truth will prevail and Dr. Atkins will finally get the kudos he deserves, God rest his soul.


Research suggests overall fat intake has little or no bearing on breast cancer risk
Dr. Briffa has quickly become one of my favorite bloggers. He has some outstanding information and really tries to keep it simple. His latest post highlights recent research that refutes the claim that high fat intake increases the risk for breast cancer. As someone who is already high risk, I want to know the truth about what I can do to try to prevent this horrible disease from getting me. The research suggests keeping insulin levels lower to lower your risk. I'm happily doing that with my low-carb diet. But in the past we were told to manage this with a low-fat, high-carbohydrate diet. Are they NUTS??? Thankfully I know better and have been enjoying good health with the help of my low-carb lifestyle. But what about all those millions of people who haven't yet heard this? That's why I'm so glad Dr. Briffa, and many others like him, are making sure we know what real science is proving.


You burned off that donut? Think again!
Dr. Mike Eades does a fantastic job of keeping us in the know. This post about exercise and calories truly is a "must see", especially if you are one of those folks who eat something sugary expecting an hour on the treadmill to cancel it out. Sorry, doesn't appear to be that simple.


OK, off to get some things done. Have a wonderful low-carb day!