March 3, 2002- Sugar High
Are your low-fat treats laden with sugar? If so, eating too many of them could sabotage your cholesterol goals.

Research suggests that trading fatty foods for low-fat foods that are high in sugar, such as fat-free cookies or cakes, may lower your levels of heart-protective HDL cholesterol. If a healthy cholesterol profile is your goal, stick with your low-fat strategy, but watch your sugar intake, too. Eating a diverse diet that is low in calories and high in nutrients can help keep your heart friendly HDL cholesterol level at a healthy level.
SOURCE: University of Texas, ©2002

March 10, 2002- Something to C
Taking your daily vitamin C supplement may help keep cataracts from clouding your vision.

In a recent study, participants who took at least 350 milligrams of vitamin C per day were 50% less likely to develop cortical cataracts compared to participants who took less than 140 milligrams per day. Cortical cataracts affect vision by clouding the outer layer of the lens of the eye.

Getting up to 1,000 milligrams of vitamin C per day from food and supplements can help reduce many health risks including cardiovascular diseases and the common cold.
SOURCE: The University of Pennsylvania Health Systems, ©2002

March 17, 2002- A Stone's Throw
Here's another good reason to limit your salt and meat intake: you could avoid painful kidney stones.

A recent study revealed that lower intakes of salt and animal-based proteins helped reduce kidney stone incidence in a group of men who were prone to getting stones. Keep meat servings to about the size of a deck of cards, and season your food with garlic, onion, and other low-sodium spices instead of salt.
SOURCE: The University of Michigan, ©2002

March 24, 2002- Vital Heart Vitamins
Here's another reason to stay the course with your daily multivitamin: it could help slow arterial aging.

Both vitamin C and vitamin E intake appear to be important to the health of your arteries. In one study, adequate intake of these antioxidant nutrients was associated with a significant reduction in arterial disease. Aim to get about 400 IU of vitamin E per day and up to 1,200 milligrams of vitamin C per day through food and supplements. Getting the right amount of antioxidants through diet or supplements can help reduce your chances of cardiovascular diseases.
SOURCE: Real Age Health Systems, ©2002

March 31, 2002- B is for Banana
You can help make sure you're getting enough vitamin B6 in your diet by eating more bananas.

Research suggests that vitamin B6 may be important for proper neurotransmitter function. It also may help prevent mood disorders, such as depression. For a quick and easy vitamin B6 fix, add a banana to your breakfast cereal. One medium banana contains almost a milligram of this nutrient. Getting 4 milligrams of vitamin B6 per day from food or supplements can help reduce many common disorders.
SOURCE: Lancet Health Publications, ©2002