Omega 3 Fatty Acids For Brain Health

Research has found that eating a diet rich in omega 3 fatty acids boosts brain health, especially networks involved in thinking and attention.  Omega 3 fatty acids are found in fish such as tuna, salmon, and mackerel.  The particular omega-3 fatty acid found to be important for brain health is docosahexaenoic acid (DHA).  600-1000mg of DHA daily is recommended for optimal health.

Dr. Anne Hermann, a holistic internal medicine physician, maintains offices in Tampa and Saint Petersburg Beach, Florida.  Dr. Hermann is also board certified in nutrition and offers vitamin testing to her patients.  Please contact the office at (813) 902-9559 for more information or to schedule an appointment.

Can Plant Sterols Reduce My Cholesterol?

Eating plant sterols have been proven to be an easy way to lower your LDL cholesterol , which in turn lowers the risk of heart disease.  However, they do not affect HDL or triglyceride levels.  Sterols occur naturally in many grains, vegetables, fruits, nuts and seeds.  Manufacturers have also started to add sterols to foods such as margarine and orange juice.

Sterols work by preventing cholesterol from being absorbed into the bloodstream.  In essence, they block the absorption of cholesterol.  The National Cholesterol Education Program recommends that individuals with high cholesterol get 2 grams of sterols daily.  Sterols are also available as a pill or powder.

Dr. Anne Hermann is a holistic internal medicine physician.  Offices are maintained in Tampa and Saint Petersburg Beach, Florida.  Please contact the office at (813) 902-9559 for more information or to schedule an appointment.

 

What Is The Mediterranean Diet?

High cholesterol or hyperlipidemia, is defined as elevated circulating lipids in the blood.  High concentrations of cholesterol or triglycerides, which mainly occur due to saturated fat consumption,  can lead to increased risk of atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease.   Hyperlipidemia is typically asymptomatic, and is discovered during routine screening blood work.  Foods high in saturated fats often come from animal sources – whole milk, butter, cheese and meat.  Additionally, tropical oils such as palm and coconut are also high in saturated fats.  These oils are commonly used in processed foods.

The Mediterranean diet is one of the most recommended diets for cardiovascular health.  It is the traditional diet consumed in Greece, Spain, Portugal, Turkey and Southern Italy.  It is traditionally high in the consumption of:  fruits and vegetables, legumes and plant proteins, whole grains, fresh fish, nuts and olive oil.  It has been proven beneficial in the reduction of high cholesterol, cardiovascular disease, some cancers, blood sugar levels and cognitive decline.

Dr. Anne Hermann is double-board certified in internal medicine and nutrition.  Dr. Hermann maintains offices in Tampa and St. Petersburg Beach, Florida.  Please contact the office at (813) 902-9559 for more information or to schedule an appointment.

This post was written by Anne Hermann. Follow Anne Hermann on Google, Facebook, Twitter & Linkedin.