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Lower Cholesterol with Food
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Organic Foods or Not?
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The Truth About Fasts and Cleanses
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Ask an Expert
Brian G. Tang, M.D.
Palo Alto Foundation Medical Group
My 2 1/2 year old was once a great eater, but now wants to eat only cereal - plain Cheerios to be exact. He won't eat any dinner but complains he's hungry before bed, so I let him have some cereal. How do I break the cycle?
Food jags, or when a child will only eat one food item at a time, is a common behavior in early childhood. It usually represents a way for children to show growing independence and is a normal part of their dev... continue reading about My 2 1/2 year old was once a great eater, but now wants to eat only cereal - plain Cheerios to be exact. He won't eat any dinner but complains he's hungry before bed, so I let him have some cereal. How do I break the cycle?
Deborah Kurzrock, R.D.
Mills-Peninsula Medical Center
What exactly is a complex carbohydrate diet?
I am not familiar with a diet that consists of only complex carbohydrates. A balanced diet contains complex carbohydrates, fruits and vegetables with lots of color, lean protein, and good fats like olive oil an... continue reading about What exactly is a complex carbohydrate diet?
Toni J. Brayer, M.D.
Sutter West Bay Medical Group
My calcium level is high. What foods do I need to cut down on? What about dairy products, orange juice, fortified cereal and eggs, which I thought were good for me? I'm on Tamoxifen and have been through chemo. Does that contribute to high calcium?
The body regulates the blood calcium levels through complex mechanisms. Low calcium can be supplemented with vitamins and eating calcium-rich foods and dairy. High calcium, however is never from any specific fo... continue reading about My calcium level is high. What foods do I need to cut down on? What about dairy products, orange juice, fortified cereal and eggs, which I thought were good for me? I'm on Tamoxifen and have been through chemo. Does that contribute to high calcium?
Gary F. Milechman, M.D.
California Pacific Medical Center
I read recently that a vitamin D deficiency may be linked to increased heart disease. Should I be tested for this deficiency, and if I'm low, would a supplement take care of this increased risk?
Your question is an excellent one, and a hot topic in the world of cardiology and preventive medicine.Vitamin D is not a true vitamin since we can manufacture it in our bodies, through the action of UVB rays th... continue reading about I read recently that a vitamin D deficiency may be linked to increased heart disease. Should I be tested for this deficiency, and if I'm low, would a supplement take care of this increased risk?
David S H Chang, M.D.
Alta Bates Summit Medical Center - Summit Campus
My husband has bilateral hip and shoulder replacements, a result of having to take Prednisone after his kidney transplant 30 yrs ago. Needless to say, he has had every problem that Prednisone can cause. Could he benefit by taking glucosamine/chondroitin?
Articular cartilage is the glossy, firm, smooth tissue that coats the ends of bones in the joints of our body, like the knees, hips, and shoulders. Glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate are two naturally produced... continue reading about My husband has bilateral hip and shoulder replacements, a result of having to take Prednisone after his kidney transplant 30 yrs ago. Needless to say, he has had every problem that Prednisone can cause. Could he benefit by taking glucosamine/chondroitin?
Joyce Giammattei, DrPH,RD, CDE
Sutter Pacific Medical Foundation
With all this talk about carbs being the enemy, is a low-carb diet appropriate for children?
Growing children should be encouraged to follow a healthy diet that includes all the food groups: lean protein, complex carbohydrates and healthy fats. Low-carb diets are restrictive in many of the nutrients ch... continue reading about With all this talk about carbs being the enemy, is a low-carb diet appropriate for children?
Deborah Kurzrock, R.D.
Mills-Peninsula Medical Center
I have been a vegetarian /pescatarian for over a year, and I keep reading that B-12 is one of the major vitamins that we lack on this diet. What foods can I consume that will help me sustain B-12 vitamins with a vegetarian/pescatarian diet?
The adult recommended intake for vitamin B12 is very low, but this is an essential nutrient so vegetarians (no meat) and pescatarians (include fish)should be aware of good sources. Vitamin B12 is needed for cel... continue reading about I have been a vegetarian /pescatarian for over a year, and I keep reading that B-12 is one of the major vitamins that we lack on this diet. What foods can I consume that will help me sustain B-12 vitamins with a vegetarian/pescatarian diet?
Sue Hazeghazam, R.D.
Sutter Medical Center, Sacramento
Experts say not to skip meals because it slows metabolism down. We are also advised to exercise to burn fat. Now they say you can't just do aerobics, you need resistance training. I'm training with weights and all I'm doing is getting bigger.
You should try to do both types of exercise. Both have benefits. Aerobic exercise is helpful to improve circulation and to burn calories and, if done long enough, to also help burn fat stores. When you do resis... continue reading about Experts say not to skip meals because it slows metabolism down. We are also advised to exercise to burn fat. Now they say you can't just do aerobics, you need resistance training. I'm training with weights and all I'm doing is getting bigger.
Ask the Expert Team
Sutter Health
I'm looking for a natural way to lower my cholesterol. Besides watching what I eat and exercising, is there anything else, like dietary supplements, that would work?
A Chinese food supplement called Red Rice Yeast has been shown by reasonable scientific studies to lower cholesterol as well as bad cardiovascular events by 15-30 percent. Suggested dose is one to four of the 6... continue reading about I'm looking for a natural way to lower my cholesterol. Besides watching what I eat and exercising, is there anything else, like dietary supplements, that would work?
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