Fit Living
Your guide to creating and maintaining a fit lifestyle.
D Deficiency in Overweight Children
May 9, 2013
by Optimum Wellness
0 Comments
Excess body weight is associated with risk of vitamin D deficiency in children and adults. A recent study published in Pediatrics compared vitamin D status in children between the ages of 6 and 18. The children were “classified” as normal weight, overweight, obese, or severely obese. Vitamin D deficiency was seen in a certain percentage [...]
Why We Like Lycopene
April 29, 2013 by Optimum Wellness 0 Comments
Lycopene is a carotenoid that has gained considerable press in the last decade. It is present in the human body and it is found in foods like tomatoes (especially tomato sauce, paste, and juice) watermelon, pink grapefruit, and guava. Carotenoids are a group of pigmented compounds, powerful antioxidants,that protect cells from the harmful effects of free radicals.
Getting the Most from Your Produce
April 16, 2013 by Optimum Wellness 0 Comments
For a person who visits the grocery store typically no less than three to four times a week, one might think that I’m less guilty of allowing food, specifically fresh fruit and vegetables, go bad. But like the more than 31 million Americans who throw away nearly 33 million tons of food each year (equivalent to 470 pounds per household per year), I am indeed guilty.
Aging and The Sugar Connection
April 8, 2013 by Optimum Wellness 0 Comments
For many Americans, the fast fix to a new facial wrinkle involves a trip to the dermatologist and an injection of Botox. For others it’s about expensive facial cleansers, crèmes, toners, and so forth. We blame the sun, stress, and genetics, all of which do indeed contribute to the state of our appearance, but how often do we look at how much sugar we are eating?
Spring Clean Your Life
April 1, 2013 by Optimum Wellness 0 Comments
We tend to hear a lot about cleansing and detoxing when springtime rolls around. Chances are someone you know is either “on a cleanse,” “juicing,” or cleaning up their life in one way or another. Although anytime is the right time to start thinking about taking better care of ourselves, springtime seems to just signal renewal, growth and the perfect time to let go of things that no longer support us.
Dr. James Discusses Benefits of Mediterranean Diet
March 1, 2013 by Optimum Wellness 0 Comments
The Mediterranean diet has been shown to help reduce levels of inflammation in the body in just 6 weeks. By adding vegetables, legumes, olive oil, fish, nuts, and seeds to your diet and decreasing red meat, sugar, and processed foods, you can help decrease your risk for heart disease, stroke, type II diabetes, and certain cancers.
Training for Your Best Life
February 25, 2013 by Optimum Wellness 0 Comments
There’s a great book called Younger Next Year for Women by Chris Crowly & Henry S. Lodge, MD. One of the chapter titles is awesome: “Life Is an Endurance Event: Train for It.” So many people believe that everything in life happens by chance; that some people are simply blessed with better genes than others and are therefore smarter, fitter, richer, or better looking. It’s certainly true that genetics can play a powerful role in our lives, but it’s somewhat like being dealt a certain hand in a game of cards. It’s what we do with what we’re dealt that really counts. So why not train for our lives like champions.
Dr. James Gives Us Reason to Change Our Oil
February 19, 2013 by Optimum Wellness 0 CommentsDid you know that the oils that we consume can have an impact on our mood?
Plant Based Protein for Optimum Wellness
February 12, 2013 by Optimum Wellness 0 Comments
Vegetarians are often asked the question, “how do you get your protein?” Americans have become somewhat obsessed with protein these days and we tend to be an “over-proteined” nation overall. The truth is that ounce per ounce, pound per pound, calorie per calorie, plant-based protein may pack a more powerful punch than animal protein.
Go Veggie For February
February 4, 2013 by Optimum Wellness 2 Comments
During the month of February, we are typically bombarded with heart health information, which is a good thing. Past recommendations may have included eating more fish or supplementing with omega-3 fish oils. Certainly there is evidence that omega-3 fatty acids from fish oil can lower blood pressure, cholesterol, and triglyceride levels. Omega-3 fatty acids may also decrease the risk of a second (or third) heart attack in people who have suffered from a heart attack in the past.
