mlk_man
Banned
imported post
The last time peanuts were in vogue in this country, a Georgia peanut framer was running for President. That was thirty years ago - ironically, about the same time that another Georgia native, some maniac M.D. named Dr. Douglass started singing the praises of those healthy "goober peas" to anyone who'd listen...
But, as is usually the case with the real health foods (like meat, milk, and alcohol), all things peanut soon fell out of favor. Not because of the lackluster performance of our newly elected peanut-farming President, but because of the misguided, fat-phobic 80s and 90s. Of course, the real irony here is that this knee-jerk rejection of all things fatty has caused us to balloon out of control, bloated on excess grain and vegetables.
But I digress. I'm writing today because I'm happy to report that finally, the peanut's back in the spotlight!
According to a recent AP article, consumption of peanuts and peanut butter has jumped in recent years, perhaps signaling an end to the reflexive fat-phobia rampant in the previous decade or more. I think this is heartening news - and it's definitely lifesaving news. After all, peanuts are not only rich in artery-cleansing "good" fats, they're also a great source of vitamin E, vitamin B-6, niacin, riboflavin, plus healthy minerals like copper, potassium, magnesium, and zinc (a proven aid to prostate and urinary health)!
Even the nature-hating FDA has now given its consent to a qualified health claim for peanuts - allowing growers to claim a reduction in heart disease from a daily ration of 1.5 ounces. Of course, you could get an even greater benefit by eating more than this conservative amount, but it's a step in the right direction.
Research abounds indicating that peanuts help prevent heart disease and lower LDL cholesterol, and can even aid in weight loss. According to the AP piece, one Harvard study even showed a correlation between peanut butter consumption and a reduced risk of diabetes. Of course, I've been saying these things for years.
However, here's something new in the goober world: A University of Georgia-affiliated study suggests that peanuts may contain sky-high levels of a natural antioxidant called resveratrol that's found in another of my favorite heart-healthy consumables. This compound may have a profound preventive effect on prostate cancer. Keep reading...
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Grape nuttiness
If you've been a reader of mine for any length of time at all, you've heard me talk glowingly about red wine before (and all alcoholic beverages, for that matter). Here's just the latest reason why:
According to a recent Reuters article, a new study presents some of the strongest evidence yet that red wine prevents prostate cancer. Of course, lots of past evidence alludes to the cancer-fighting properties of the red wine varietals, but to date, none has quantified this effect in quite so dramatic a fashion as some recent research has...
To "cut to the chase," a Seattle interview study of 753 newly diagnosed prostate cancer patients aged 40 to 65 revealed a startling 6% decrease in relative risk for EVERY GLASS of red wine consumed per week! These groundbreaking findings appeared in the January 2005 issue of the International Journal of Cancer. Possible contributing factors mentioned by the study's authors are red wine's abundant polyphenols, flavonoids, and antioxidants (like resveratrol).
Bottom line: A generous handful of peanuts (raw in the shells, preferably) and a glass or two of red wine every day adds up to powerful protection against prostate cancer and a boon to urinary health.
It's medicine at its most delicious and satisfying!
Always "nutty" - and "wining" every day,
William Campbell Douglass II, MD
The last time peanuts were in vogue in this country, a Georgia peanut framer was running for President. That was thirty years ago - ironically, about the same time that another Georgia native, some maniac M.D. named Dr. Douglass started singing the praises of those healthy "goober peas" to anyone who'd listen...
But, as is usually the case with the real health foods (like meat, milk, and alcohol), all things peanut soon fell out of favor. Not because of the lackluster performance of our newly elected peanut-farming President, but because of the misguided, fat-phobic 80s and 90s. Of course, the real irony here is that this knee-jerk rejection of all things fatty has caused us to balloon out of control, bloated on excess grain and vegetables.
But I digress. I'm writing today because I'm happy to report that finally, the peanut's back in the spotlight!
According to a recent AP article, consumption of peanuts and peanut butter has jumped in recent years, perhaps signaling an end to the reflexive fat-phobia rampant in the previous decade or more. I think this is heartening news - and it's definitely lifesaving news. After all, peanuts are not only rich in artery-cleansing "good" fats, they're also a great source of vitamin E, vitamin B-6, niacin, riboflavin, plus healthy minerals like copper, potassium, magnesium, and zinc (a proven aid to prostate and urinary health)!
Even the nature-hating FDA has now given its consent to a qualified health claim for peanuts - allowing growers to claim a reduction in heart disease from a daily ration of 1.5 ounces. Of course, you could get an even greater benefit by eating more than this conservative amount, but it's a step in the right direction.
Research abounds indicating that peanuts help prevent heart disease and lower LDL cholesterol, and can even aid in weight loss. According to the AP piece, one Harvard study even showed a correlation between peanut butter consumption and a reduced risk of diabetes. Of course, I've been saying these things for years.
However, here's something new in the goober world: A University of Georgia-affiliated study suggests that peanuts may contain sky-high levels of a natural antioxidant called resveratrol that's found in another of my favorite heart-healthy consumables. This compound may have a profound preventive effect on prostate cancer. Keep reading...
****************************************************
Grape nuttiness
If you've been a reader of mine for any length of time at all, you've heard me talk glowingly about red wine before (and all alcoholic beverages, for that matter). Here's just the latest reason why:
According to a recent Reuters article, a new study presents some of the strongest evidence yet that red wine prevents prostate cancer. Of course, lots of past evidence alludes to the cancer-fighting properties of the red wine varietals, but to date, none has quantified this effect in quite so dramatic a fashion as some recent research has...
To "cut to the chase," a Seattle interview study of 753 newly diagnosed prostate cancer patients aged 40 to 65 revealed a startling 6% decrease in relative risk for EVERY GLASS of red wine consumed per week! These groundbreaking findings appeared in the January 2005 issue of the International Journal of Cancer. Possible contributing factors mentioned by the study's authors are red wine's abundant polyphenols, flavonoids, and antioxidants (like resveratrol).
Bottom line: A generous handful of peanuts (raw in the shells, preferably) and a glass or two of red wine every day adds up to powerful protection against prostate cancer and a boon to urinary health.
It's medicine at its most delicious and satisfying!
Always "nutty" - and "wining" every day,
William Campbell Douglass II, MD
