Hey I admit it… I'm from Texas and I like eating my steaks!   I usually barbeque a big juicy steak about once a week.  It appears that drinking skim milk with your steak may have a positive health benefit.  There was a research study conducted at the Oklahoma State University saying that Calcium may help reduce the amount of saturated fat that your body absorbs.  The study showed that calcium binds with the fat molecules and helps flush it through the intestines meaning that less fat will be absorbed into your body.  Great news for people trying to lose weight!

Now I don't think that means we can eat more of the fatty foods in our diet just because we drink more milk.  Calcium is laking in most people's diets so I think it would be a good practice to get more calcium in our diet to help lose or maintain our current weight.  Some good sources of calcium are low fat yogurt, low fat cheese,broccoli, and beans.

Information On ADHD

Some children are just naturally hyper, but do not have ADHD. Some children are just naturally more active and defiant, but this does not mean they have this condition. Many teachers who are simply overwhelmed like to slap the ADHD label on children when in fact they just have classrooms that are too large, and not enough help with the children. The most important reason you should gather information on ADHD before visiting your doctor is so that you have knowledge when you take your child in. Not all doctors are correct, and if you aren’t happy with the diagnosis, having information on ADHD procedures and tests will help you decide if you need a second opinion.

Information on ADHD is everywhere, so you have to sift through the piles and piles of information. Look for the most reliable sources when searching, and remember that not all information on ADHD you find will be completely accurate or up to date. You may want to look in a bookstore or in a library for information, as well as reputable sites on the Internet. If you find a support group for parents of children with this condition, they may tell you the best and most reliable sources of information on ADHD.

If you find out your child does indeed have ADHD, you might want to join a support group like the one you may have found on the Internet. You will need more information on ADHD to know how to proceed. There are prescription medicines your child can take, but many parents do not like how these affect their children. The more information you get on ADHD, the more power you have to make the right decision on how to help you child deal with what they are going through.

Omega 3 Fatty Acids are found in oily fish such as salmon and mackerel and have been proven to provide a whole range of health benefits.   You’ve probably heard of Omega 3 and many food manufacturers are also quick to cash in on the Omega 3 Fatty Acid.  You can now see a wide variety of products ranging from cereal to yogurts with added Omega 3 fatty acids.  But exactly what are the benefits of a diet rich in Omega 3 and what should you watch out for?

The American Heart Association recommends eating fish (particularly fatty fish) at least two times a week.  According to the AHA fatty fish such as mackerel, trout, herring, sardines, albacore tuna and salmon are high in two kinds of omega-3 fatty acids.   These are eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA).  You can also get Omega 3 from vegetable sources such as pumpkin seeds, flax seeds, and walnuts.

Why are Omega 3 Fatty Acids so Beneficial to Health?

Research has shown that they can:

* Decrease risk of irregular heart rhythms (arrhythmias), which can lead to sudden cardiac death
* Decrease levels of triglyceride (the fat which has been linked to heart disease)
* Reduce potential blood clots
* Decrease growth rate of the fatty plaques
* Reduce blood pressure

New research has even shown that Omega 3 fats can reduce the risks of certain cancers particularly prostate and skin cancer.

Research involving children has shown that increased levels of Omega 3 can help children concentrate better and improve behaviors such as hyperactivity.

Overall it looks as though Omega 3 fatty acids can have great health benefits particularly the fats found in oily fish such as salmon and mackerel. 

However, new studies have shown that too high consumption of oily fish may cause other health risks.  Contaminants and mercury levels are at an all time high in these types of fish and may cause damage, particularly to pregnant women and young children.

It is recommended that pregnant women, nursing women and children not consume more than two small portions of oily fish per week.  Certain types of fish such as mackerel, swordfish and shark contain higher levels of mercury than salmon or tuna.

With all the controversy it’s difficult to know whether you should or shouldn’t consume oily fish.  So far it looks as though the health benefits of Omega 3 Fatty Acids outweigh any associated risks, when consumed in moderation and according to guidelines.