Cooking Fish and What You Drink With It May Influence Mercury Exposure Wild fish are well known for providing beneficial omega-3 fatty acids such as EPA and DHA. At the same time, certain larger predatory fish (like tuna, shark, and mackerel) may contain measurable levels of mercury. Balancing omega-3 benefits with mercury exposure is an important consideration for long-term health. What the Research Suggests A study published in Environmental Research examined how cooking methods and certain beverages affected mercury bioaccessibility meaning the amount potentially available for absorption during digestion. Using laboratory models simulating digestion, researchers found: Boiling reduced mercury bioaccessibility compared to raw fish. Frying reduced bioaccessibility even further in the experimental model. Consuming fish alongside black coffee, black tea, or green tea further reduced measured bioaccessibility. Combining cooking and tea or coffee had an additive effect in the lab…

How can you tell if you’re deficient in essential fatty acids (EFAs)? Here are some clues. There are two families of EFAs, the omega 6s and the omega 3s. Omega 6 Deficiency Dry, flakey skin is the cardinal sign that you aren’t getting enough omega 6, which maintains the skin barrier against excessive water loss. Your skin should be soft and velvety, but water loss can lead to “alligator skin,” “chicken skin,” thick patches of skin, cracked skin (especially on heels or fingertips), or frequent nosebleeds. Also look for brittle nails that break easily; dry eyes; dry, dull and unmanageable hair; dandruff or hair loss; itchy skin, eczema and other skin lesions. Canker sores in your mouth may be another sign. Water Loss can lead to excessive thirst. Other signs of deficiency include poor immunity, wounds that are slow to heal, PMS and other reproductive problems, kidney malfunction, joint pain and heart beat abnormalities. Omega 3 Deficiency Fatigue can be caused by many thin…

According to a study published in the Archives of General Psychiatry, approximately 10 percent of Americans are taking antidepressant medications.This means that over 31 million Americans are gobbling Prozac, Zoloft, Norpramin, Luvox, Paxil, and other antidepressant psychiatric drugs like M & M's. This drug use accounts for billions of dollars in pharmaceutical sales annually. Yet according to a landmark study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association say that antidepressant medications work - as well as placebos and not more. In other words, people in depression studies who are given sugar pills instead of antidepressant drugs do as well as the group who gets the drugs. Before you ask yourself whether you should simply take a Tic Tac instead of a Paxil, there is more disheartening news about these drugs. Many Americans are taking antidepressant medications instead of changing their own behavior or life circumstances. According to Maryland medical doctor Ronal…