November 2010

Heart Healthy Holiday Foods

by Cindy Gray on November 24th, 2010

Happy Holidays!  Happy Heart Health?  Yes, thankfully both are possible.  Just think about what Americans usually eat for the holidays … and the average holiday meal can easily exceed 2,000 fat-laden calories.  But rather than focusing on what NOT to eat, (and feeling guilty) read on and learn about delicious foods and healthy ways to enjoy them…. foods that may already be on your shoppng list this year.  Pumpkins Loaded with vitamin A and teeming with fiber, pumpkin offers more than a seasonal decoration.  Low in calories and rich with the healthiest types of fat, enjoy pumpkin pie this year,

Tips for Optimum Liver Health

by Jillian Fritsen on November 19th, 2010

The liver is the largest gland in the human body and serves many important functions.  It works to detoxify the bloodstream, filtering potentially harmful impurities, and the liver produces bile – a yellowish liquid necessary for the absorption of fat from the intestine.  Fat-soluble substances including some chemicals and medicines are stored in the liver.  Using enzymes, the liver converts these substances into water-soluble forms that can then be wasted through the kidneys or the gastrointestinal tract.  The liver is also responsible for metabolizing hormones and for the production of cholesterol.  With the body dependent on the liver for all