Human Growth Hormone (HGH) Facts & Myths

Human growth hormone (HGH) is essential for healthy growth. Its production declines with age. People reach gigantic height and proportions due to high HGH production.

HGH boosting dietary supplements for claiming to reduce fatigue, increase sleep, and reduce the signs of aging (wrinkles, aging skin). They are marketing primarily to women. Apparently males with low HGH levels do not concern makers of the products. HGH dietary supplement have no HGH. Synthetic HGH requires a doctor’s prescription. HGH supplements are a combination of herbs and amino acids. Amino acids come from dietary protein. Most Americans eat too much protein.

Like most dietary supplements, there are no independent research studies validating any claimed health benefits.

In this video:

• What is human growth hormone (HGH)? 00:47
• Prescription HGH versus dietary supplements. 2:39
• Prescription HGH health benefits. 5:39
• Prescription HGH side effects. 6:02
• Why food should be your medicine. 6:21

Margarine and Shortening Facts & Myths

There are many myths about margarine and shortening, two solid fats made by hydrogenating vegetable oils, ranging from a healthier, low saturated fat alternative to butter and other animal fats to being toxic to animals and humans.

In This video:

• What are margarine and shortening? 00:46
• Food chemistry 101. 1:38
• What is hydrogenation? 2:47
• Partial versus full hydrogenation. 3:28
• Margarine and shortening ingredients and additives. 5:08
• Margarine and shortening facts and myths. 6:40

High Copper, Zinc and Selenium Foods

Sample of common foods high in the essential trace minerals, copper, zinc, and selenium.

In this video:

• What are trace minerals? 00:39
• Copper’s functions, RDA and foods. 1:40
• Selenium’s functions, RDA and foods. 4:10
• Zinc’s functions, RDA and foods. 6:11

Easy High Protein Baked Fish With Potatoes And Carrots

Easy baked fish recipe with potatoes and carrots that takes as little as 10 minutes to prepare and provides about 35 grams of protein and 5 grams of fiber for 400 calories.

This recipe makes 3 to 6 servings. Nutrition information is based on 3 servings providing at 14 ounces of food for about 400 calories.

Unlike frozen and prepared meals, this recipe uses all natural ingredients and has no chemical additives or preservatives.

Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

Poor diets are contributing not only to weight gain and obesity, but to an increase in Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD). NAFLD can damage the livers ability to regenerate increasing the risk of cirrohis.

In this video:

• What is nonalcoholic fatty liver disease? 00:38
• What causes NAFLD? 1:60
• Symptoms of NAFLD. 2:47
• Preventing NAFLD. 3:54

Does Salt Increase Blood Pressure?

Sodium is an essential mineral. The main source of sodium for most people is salt (sodium chloride). Sodium is found naturally in foods and added to prepared foods. While the recommended amount of daily added sodium is 2.300 mg, most people diets high in prepared foods consume significantly more. Salt is an inexpensive flavor enhancer.

While high sodium diets can increase the risk of high blood pressure in some people, people with healthy kidneys and eating high potassium diets can consume more sodium without developing high blood pressure.

Instead of guessing if your blood sodium levels are too low or high, the Comprehensive Metabolic Panel (CMP) blood test measures your levels of sodium, potassium, and chloride. In some U.S. states, you  do not need a doctors order for a CMP test. CMP also includes blood protein and calcium levels.

In this video:

• What is salt? 00:43
• Salt versus sodium. 1:13
• Sodium and blood pressure. 3:02
• Added salt and blood pressure. 3:53
• Prepared foods and sodium. 5:56
• DASH diet, sodium and blood pressure. 6:39

15 High Phosphorous Foods

Phosphorous is an essential mineral. Chemical phosphates are added to foods from cereals to sodas.  They prevent discoloration, emulsify, and are food for yeast. But, too much phosphorous can erode tooth enamel and cause kidney damage. People with kidney disease should limit dietary phosphorous.

As with most vitamin and minerals, the risk of adverse side affects and toxicity is low when phosphorous comes from a diet of minimally processed foods. The risk increase with diets high in processed foods.

In this video:

• What is phosphorus? 00:41
• Natural versus added phosphorus. 00:58
• Phosphorus’ functions. 1:20
• Phosphorus deficiency. 1:45
• Phosphorus RDA and toxicity. 2:14
• 15 high phosphorus foods. 3:25

Bulgur Versus Brown Rice

Except for fad diets, most diet experts recommend eating whole versus refined grains.

Bulgur is a parboiled whole grain wheat that cooks in a fraction of the time of brown rice and other whole grains. About 12 versus 30 to 40 minutes.

This video shares how it compares nutritionally to brown rice, some uses for bulgur, and cooking methods.

In this video:

• What is bulgur? 00:41
• Bulgur contraindications. 1:07
• Storing bulgur. 1:27
• Bulgur uses. 2:01
• Bulgur and brown rice nutrition. 2:20
• Cooking bulgur. 3:10

Measuring Cup & Spoon Accuracy

Several viewers have commented about making  a recipe with disappointing results.

Unlike most countries where dry ingredients are measured by weight in grams, US recipes use volume (cups). Commercial cooks and bakers rely on weight for accurate, consistent results. US home cooks are stuck with cups and spoons. The assumption is all measuring cups and spoons, regardless of price, are accurate. My research showed two apparently identical measuring cups where off by more than 10%.

This video shares how to check the accuracy of your measuring cups and spoon. To do so, you’ll need an accurate digital kitchen scale. There are many affordable kitchen scales accurate to within +/- 1 gram.

In this video:

• Why accurate measurements are important. 00:35
• Dry measuring cup accuracy. 1:12
• Wet measuring cup accuracy. 4:06
• Measuring spoon accuracy. 5:12

Diet And Direct Access Tests (DAT)

Some US states allow some direct access lab tests (DAT) that used to require a doctor’s order. These test can check for anemia, diabetes, A1-c, and some nutrient deficiencies like potassium, iron, and calcium. Although most insurance does not cover DAT, the cost is is usually about the same or slightly higher than insurance covered tests.

If available in your state, you can use direct access laboratory tests to help monitor your health and diet. DATs do not replace a doctor’s care. Discuss all abnormal results with a healthcare provider.

In this video:

• What are essential nutrients? 00:48
• What is direct access testing? 1:06
• Which states allow direst access tests? 2:20
• Why use direst access tests? 2:42
• Common DAT tests. 3:44
• Direct testing advantages & disadvantages. 6:50

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