Red meat and pork chops for better health?

Guys, here’s good news for meat lovers! Pork chops and the right kind of beef may actually offer some impressive health benefits. Check out what else made the list for the best food choices for improving your health:

• Pomegranate juice. This liquid disease fighter is packed with antioxidants, and some studies have indicated it may offer some protection against certain cancers, including prostate cancer.
• Kale. This natural detoxifier supports liver health.
• Iceberg lettuce. Iceberg wins over romaine lettuce because it contains significantly more alpha-carotene, an immune-boosting antioxidant.
• Mushrooms. They are also believed to crank up your immune system.
• Bananas. Rich in potassium, bananas support healthy blood pressure levels.
• Green tea. This natural weight loss aid may also rev up your metabolism.
• Soybeans. These little guys are a great source of protein, fiber, iron and omega-3 fatty acids and provide better satiety than other snacks. Feel fuller longer!
• Oysters. Oysters are packed with zinc, which your body needs for DNA production and cellular repair.
• Grass-fed beef. Besides containing fewer hormones and antibiotics than corn-fed beef, grass-fed beef also has less fat and more conjugated linoleic acid, which may help reduce belly fat.
• Salmon. Salmon and other fatty fish is full of omega-3 fatty acids, which act as natural anti-inflammatories and may be beneficial for your brain, cholesterol and immune system.
• Red pepper flakes. New research shows that the capsaicin found in peppers may provide some cancer protection, and a Dutch study found that if consumed prior to a meal red pepper flakes may prevent overeating.
• Vinegar. It is thought to naturally help regulate blood sugar levels and promote a better sense of satiety.
• Whole grains. Go for whole grain pasta, quinoa, oatmeal and barley: these choices may help lower LDL (bad) cholesterol and may also be good for your prostate.
• Bright berries. These “good for your brain” fruits include cherries, raspberries, blueberries, blackberries, strawberries and cranberries.
• Pork chops. These meat cuts contain significantly more selenium than beef or chicken, which means your cells are getting more free-radical protection. One study found that pork chops may also be beneficial if you’re trying to lose weight: they may help preserve your muscle while shedding pounds.

Fitness tips for men over 30

After you’ve blown out 30 candles you may start to notice your energy levels drop, as well as your metabolism and the ability to effortlessly stay trim around your middle. The good news is while staying fit is more of a challenge after your 20s, it’s not impossible! Even small changes add up. Here are a few tips to keep yourself in tip-top shape in your 30s and beyond:

•  Try incorporating small lifestyle changes into your routine, such as taking the stairs, walking to work or even parking at the far end of the parking lot. You should also think about joining a recreational basketball league or softball team: You’ll have fun and meet new buddies while getting a great workout.
• Getting in cardio is especially important for men in their 30s. Try doing your cardio after you lift, when you’re already tired. You efforts will reap even greater benefits!
• A good workout includes weight and resistance training. Did you know these workouts have been shown to decrease the cells’ aging process?
• Remember the “30 after 30” rule: you should be raising your heart rate for at least 30 minutes a day, every day. These 30 minutes don’t have to be consecutive, though: feel free to break them up in 15 minute increments if that better suits your schedule.
• The worst place to carry excess weight on your body is around your middle. Belly fat puts you at risk for a number of health risks, including heart disease, certain cancers and stroke, just to name a few! Prevent this by including core training exercises to your usual cardio routine.

You already know the importance of staying hydrated while working out, but you should be guzzling water even when you’re not! Drinking plenty of water touts a number of benefits, including better-looking skin, keeping appetite in check and even hangover damage control. Drinking a big glass of water after a night out can help a hangover from hitting you full force in the morning.

A New Healthy You: How to Make (and Not Break) New Year’s Resolutions

So 2011 has just begun and you're already fighting the urge to scrap your New Year’s resolution to eat more vegetables. You’re not alone. While about 75% of people stick to their goals for at least a week, less than half (46%) are still on target six months later, a 2002 study found.

Why is it so hard to keep New Year’s resolutions? Apparently there's a biological reason why our bad habits are so hard to break, according to a new AP story. 

"We all as creatures are hard-wired that way, to give greater value to an immediate reward as opposed to something that's delayed," said Dr. Nora Volkow, director of the National Institute on Drug Abuse and an authority on the brain's pleasure pathway.

It’s all due to a pleasure-sensing chemical called dopamine. “It conditions the brain to want that reward again and again—reinforcing the connection each time—especially when it gets the right cue from your environment,” AP reported.

We may overestimate our ability to resist temptation, but that doesn’t mean we can’t maintain our sense of discipline either. As Tun Hussein Onn, Third Prime Minister of Malaysia, once said: “Discipline is the most important thing in human life and has to be the main priority.” But how do we maintain our sense of restraint, while living in the spirit of now? How do we keep our health goals in check while trying to kick our smoking habit or resisting our sweet tooth? 

By now, our readers know that “Living Ramuan” is about living in balance. We took a look at four of the most popular New Year’s resolutions, and found some tips from Health magazine for keeping them in balance throughout the year.

1. Lose Weight: Don’t expect overnight success…and plan for bumps along the way. Use a food journal to keep track of what you eat, and make sure you have a support system in place. And don’t forget to reward yourself for sticking to your diet. Treat yourself to a new book or a new pair of jeans.

2. Quit Smoking: Since this is one of the most difficult habits to break Health magazine advises people to try out different methods to see what works best. Says Merle Myerson, MD, director of the Cardiovascular Disease Prevention Program at St. Luke’s and Roosevelt Hospitals, in New York City: "I always tell people to think of how much money they will save." If that isn’t an instant motivator in this economy, then what is?

3. Decrease Your Stress: Have you ever noticed that when you’re stressed, the first thing you do is reach for the bag of potato chips? Stress can reactivate bad habits. Plus, if stress is chronic, it can lead to “insomnia, depression, obesity, heart disease and more,” notes Health magazine. That’s why it is so important to cut out the stress in your daily routine. Try relaxation techniques, traditional Malay massage (called urut Melayu), sleeping at least one hour extra a night, socializing with family or friends, eating stress-fighting foods, taking vacations or even having more sex—your body will thank you for it later.  

4. Exercise More: Repeat, repeat, repeat. Hitting the gym at the same time of the morning, rather than fitting it in haphazardly, makes the striatum (in your brain) recognize the habit. Eventually, "if you don't do it, you feel awful," said Volkow.

What habits are you planning to kick in order to become healthier and balanced in 2011? Do you have any tips for keeping your healthy New Year’s resolutions in check from beginning to end? 

Dr. Oz's Top 5 Natural Health Supplements for Women over 50

Source: Dr. Oz


Earlier this week, Dr. Oz revealed his top 5 women’s health supplements for women in their 50s looking to maintain their health and vitality. While there were not any surprises on his list, it does reaffirm what we already know: health supplements are key to a preventative care regimen. On the Dr. Oz blog, readers are encouraged to send the list to all of their friends and family members "so that we can make sure everyone we care about is taking every preventative measure possible to stay healthy." 


Without further delay, here are Dr. Oz’s top 5 health supplements for women in their 50s: 


1. Coenzyme Q10: No matter what age you are, keeping up your natural energy levels is important for overall health and wellness. Coenzyme Q10, or CoQ10, is "fundamental for energy." CoQ10 is necessary for "the basic functioning of cells," according to the Mayo Clinic. 


2. Chia Seeds: We all know that metabolism slows down as you age, often making it more difficult to maintain a healthy body weight. "Chia Seeds (the same seeds used in Chia Pets) are full of fiber and omega 3's," says Dr. Oz. Why is that important for healthy weight management? Fiber helps you feel full. 


3. Turmeric: We have written extensively on the health benefits turmeric, which is known to promote a healthy inflammatory response. But this powerful herb (which is native to Southeast Asia) also possesses antioxidant capabilities due to the high concentration of curcuminoids, which many believe help maintain cognitive function as we age. 


4. Women's Multivitamin: For women over 50, taking a multivitamin is one of the most important preventative measures they can do. It's simple: multivitamins help give your body healthy servings of natural nutrition. 


5. Calcium with Vitamin D and Magnesium: Like energy and metabolism, bone strength also tends to decrease as you age. Though maintaining bone health is important at any age, Dr. Oz notes that bone health is critical for longevity. That is why taking calcium with vitamin D and magnesium is so important for women over the age of 50.


Are you surprised by any of the supplements on this list? Are there other health supplements you use for a preventative care regimen? Please feel free to share it with us by leaving a comment. 


Disclaimer: Dr. Oz is not affiliated with nor endorses Biotropics. He also does not promote or endorse our products.

75 Ways to Be Your Healthiest Ever

Source: WebMD and Good Housekeeping


From its first year of publication, Good Housekeeping has urged readers to live healthfully--to take "a walk before breakfast" (1885), "eat more fish" (1932), and get "at least eight hours of sleep" (1933). The tips here, whether from the early days or fresh from the latest journals, have one thing in common: they are based on the best expertise of their time. 

In collaboration with Good Housekeeping this month, WebMD offers its "75 Ways to Be Your Healthiest Ever," which covers everything from oral hygiene and burning calories to yoga, ginger and the importance of... sweat. It's an interesting mix of health tips...but that's what Living Ramuan is all about: intelligent blending for improved health and balance. [Read full article]

Get Empowered About Your Health

The New York Times’ "Well" blog recently featured a Q&A with Elizabeth Cohen, a longtime CNN medical correspondent and patient who wrote a new book called, “The Empowered Patient.” In the Q&A, Cohen talks about her experiences with the health care system, and answers questions such as, “Do patients really have the power to take their health into their own hands?” Becoming an “empowered patient” might mean asking difficult questions or being “a bad patient,” according to Cohen. But it could also mean insisting on a second opinion or seeking out alternative therapies or holistic remedies.

Many patients today are turning to alternative treatments, which are typically defined as “any form of therapy not taught widely in medical schools” or that “have evolved apart from and earlier than the conventional medical approach used in the U.S.,” according to WebMD. In 2007, the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, or CAM, reported that approximately 38 percent of adults used CAM. Last year, the American Medical Association  also reported that nearly 40 percent of adults and 12 percent of children in the U.S. use herbal supplements, meditation, chiropractic services or acupuncture. What these numbers seem to indicate is that 1) an increasing number of patients are more than willing to take charge of their health and become informed consumers of health products, and 2) people are looking for natural wellness solutions that have historical, cultural and scientific basis.

With so many alternative therapies and herbal solutions available today, how do you get empowered about your health? The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine offers several suggestions as a starting point, but there are other ways to take charge of your own healing. In what ways have you become an empowered patient this year? 

A Case of the (Balance) Monday’s

Last Monday, we implemented something called “Balance Monday” on Twitter—which is essentially our version of Follow Friday (the popular weekly international event where Twitterers recommend people they follow to others). We figured: “What better way to start the beginning of a new work week than to support those who keep us balanced every day?”

Balance is an important concept for people who practice Ramuan. The Malays believe that the universe is composed of four major elements (earth, fire air and water). It is thought that these elements exist and function within the body and in interaction with the social and physical environment. An imbalance of these elements leads to ill health.

According to Malay belief, each individual is made up of four humors, the properties of which are hot and moist (blood), cold and moist (phlegm), hot and dry (black bile), and cold and dry (yellow bile). Groups of foods are also classified as having hot or cold properties. For example, watermelon is considered ‘hot and moist’; milk is considered ‘cold and moist’; lemongrass is ‘hot and dry’; long beans are ‘cold and windy’; and the much-loved durian (a fruit found in Southeast Asia) is ‘hot and gassy.’ These foods should be mixed carefully, and sometimes not at all—as is the case with watermelon and milk. (It’s thought that the milk will curdle, resulting in colic, indigestion, nausea, vomiting or diarrhea.)

The hot-cold concept of balance is not just a matter of food or medicine—it’s also about a larger, holistic worldview. Wouldn’t we all be healthier people for remembering the bigger picture the next time we find ourselves suffering from a “Case of the Monday’s”? How do YOU stay balanced Monday through Friday? Do you have a Monday ritual that helps you stay on track for the week? Please share it with us! 

Health and Beauty from the Rainforest: Malaysian Traditions of Ramuan

Health and Beauty from the Rainforest: Malaysian Traditions of Ramuan, the highly anticipated book by Professor Gerard Bodeker debuted at a well-attended seminar and book signing event held at Natural Products ExpoWest. Professor Bodeker, a faculty member in Public Health at Oxford University and Adjunct Professor of Epidemiology at Columbia University, has written the first comprehensive study of Ramuan, examining the mingling of Chinese, Indian and Malay natural health and beauty practices. “Early response to Health and Beauty from the Rainforest has been very encouraging,” said Professor Bodeker. “I expect that there will be more than academic interest in the book; it was written for people who would love to know how health, wellness, and beauty is practiced by a culture of rich traditions that many Western health professionals consider to be at the center of new discoveries in this area.” Comprehensive, with a wealth of information about how Malaysia’s most notable herbal practices have developed over thousands of years, Health and Beauty from the Rainforest was developed by a team of Malaysian and international scholars, scientists, physicians, and traditional practitioner led by Professor Bodeker. The beautifully illustrated book provides never-before-revealed insights into unique Malaysian herbal traditions that promote healthy living, including hormonal balance, sexual fitness, beauty, and healthy aging; a particular emphasis is placed on women’s health concerns. “Professor Bodeker’s book is the first full compendium of information on the Malaysian tradition and practice of Ramuan,” said Dr. Joerg Gruenwald, a leading European expert in the field of botanicals and natural products. “Health and beauty professionals will be talking about this book for a long time to come.”

About Health and Beauty from the Rainforest
The first book of its kind, Health and Beauty from the Rainforest: Malaysian Traditions of Ramuan, is a must-have guide on Malaysia’s age-old wisdom in promoting health and enhancing beauty & vigor. Written by a team of Malaysian and international scholars, scientists, physicians and traditional practitioners, it contains a wealth of encyclopedic information about herbal practices from Malaysia’s confluence of Asian cultures, which have developed over thousands of years. Hundreds of lavish color photos highlight the chapters, illustrating a wide range of topics. 256 pages, hardcover. The book is available at, Barnes & Noble bookstores nationwide, online at Amazon.com, and via the book’s web site RamuanMalaysian.com, $29.50 plus shipping and tax.

About Professor Gerard Bodeker
Professor Gerard Bodeker, author and editor-in-chief of Health and Beauty from the Rainforest: Malaysian Traditions of Ramuan, is a senior faculty member in Public Health at Oxford University and Adjunct Professor of Epidemiology at Columbia University, New York. Bodeker's doctoral studies were at Harvard University. He researches and advises on international public policy on traditional, complementary & alternative medicine. He has been Chair of the Commonwealth Working Group on Traditional & Complementary Medicine and done work on medicinal plant conservation for the World Bank, the Global Environment Facility and the UN Food & Agriculture Organization, for which he produced with colleagues a book on Medicinal Plants for Forest Conservation and Healthcare. Bodeker has written extensively on traditional medicine and is the author of six books in this field. He is editor-in-chief of the World Health Organization Global Atlas of Traditional, Complementary & Alternative Medicine (2005). He published the first on policy and public health aspects of the complementary medicine field in 2007 and, in 2008, co-edited the first book on understanding the global spa industry. He has published numerous scientific articles, including in The Lancet and The British Medical Journal and is founding editor of the Journal of Alternative & Complementary Medicine and an editor of the Oxford University Press journal e-CAM. Professor Bodeker chaired the International Advisory Panel to the Government of Malaysia for the development of the herbal sector, has advised the Malaysian Ministry of Health on research into herbal and complementary medicine, and is international editor of the Malaysian-based publication, the Journal of Tropical Medicinal Plants.