Articles filed under Collins, Karen

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  Health benefits in green and black teas Feb 15, 2012 12:00 AM
  You may get health benefits from black tea and green tea. More laboratory studies have investigated the compounds, especially EGCG, in green tea. According to USDA analysis, green tea is only slightly higher in antioxidants than black tea.
  

   

• Vitamin D and bone health Feb 1, 2012 12:00 AM
  The current national recommendations for vitamin D from the Institute of Medicine are 600 IU/day for adults up to age 70 and 800 IU for older adults, but these are based primarily on evidence for bone health. Meeting the current RDA for your age is smart for overall health. If you choose to go slightly higher (4000 IU is the highest dose considered safe) — which most likely requires either a supplement or highly fortified food — it should be safe, but don’t assume there’s added cancer protection.
  

   

• Does snacking help or hurt a healthy diet? Jan 18, 2012 12:00 AM
  Snacks can promote good health when you choose foods that fill nutritional gaps.
  

   
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  With grapefruit, is white or red best? Jan 4, 2012 12:00 AM
  All grapefruit is an excellent source of vitamin C, which acts as an antioxidant. All types also supply compounds called flavonoids, including naringinin. In animal and cell studies, naringinin decreases growth and increases self-destruction of colon, mouth, skin, lung, breast and stomach cancers.
  

   

• Why how you lose weight matters Dec 28, 2011 12:00 AM
  ask the nutritionist
  

   
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  Whole wheat and white whole wheat the same, but different Nov 30, 2011 12:00 AM
  Is the bread called white whole wheat really as healthy as regular whole wheat? “White whole wheat” does sound confusing, but it is indeed a whole grain, because it includes the bran, germ and endosperm of the grain. Most bread products are made from red wheat; white wheat is a different variety of wheat.
  

   

• Chocolate nut spreads not a healthy peanut butter substitute Nov 21, 2011 12:00 AM
  Comparing peanut butter to chocolate nut spreads and exercise recommendations for breast cancer patients and survivors.
  

   
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  Cruciferous vegetables a nutritious lot Nov 3, 2011 12:00 AM
  Cruciferous vegetables, like Brussels sprouts, broccoli, Swiss chard and kale, all provide compounds that in laboratory research show a number of effects that could reduce cancer risk. These compounds seem to decrease inflammation, disable carcinogens, decrease cancer cells’ ability to spread and have a host of other healthy benefits.
  

   

• Buffets need not be a pigout Aug 31, 2011 12:00 AM
  Karen Collins of the American Institute for Cancer Research answers your questions including: Q. I’ve heard that when people eat at restaurant buffets, calorie consumption goes way up. Is that because of the kinds of foods served or do we eat differently at buffets?
  

   
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  Watermelon full of lycopene Aug 2, 2011 12:00 AM
  Q. How nutritious is watermelon compared to other fruits? A. Each cup of watermelon (about half a large slice) offers about 13 milligrams of vitamin C (14-17 percent of currently recommended daily intake). For those watching their weight, a one-cup serving can satisfy a sweet tooth with just 49 calories.
  

   

• Beans, not their sprouts, protein powerhouses Jul 28, 2011 12:00 AM
  Q. If beans like kidney and garbanzo beans are good sources of protein, does this include bean sprouts? A. No. A half-cup of mung bean sprouts supplies only 1 to 2 grams of protein. A half-cup serving of most dried beans supplies about 7 grams of protein, about equal to the protein in one ounce of meat or poultry.
  

   
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  Broccoli is a nutritional powerhouse Jul 20, 2011 12:00 AM
  Broccoli is a nutritional powerhouse, providing vitamin C, folate, beta-carotene and lutein (a compound being studied for its role in eye health).
  

   

• Enjoy grilled vegetables hot or cold Jul 5, 2011 12:00 AM
  Q. What kinds of vegetables are suitable for grilling? A. Some of the classic vegetable choices for grilling include asparagus, corn on the cob, onions, mushrooms, peppers, zucchini and eggplant.
  

   

• How much is enough protein Jun 29, 2011 12:00 AM
  Q. Do older adults need extra protein to avoid losing muscle? If so, how much is enough?
  

   

• Food a better source of potassiumJun 14, 2011 12:00 AM
  Have you heard that drinking coffee is one of the best sources of potassium in the American diet? It's really only because we Americans drink so much of it. There are better ways to get the amount of potassium you need each day.
  

   

• Why how you breathe is vital Jun 7, 2011 12:00 AM
  Q: Why do I hear some people making a big deal about how you breathe during exercise like walking or biking? Does it really make a difference? A: Yes, how you are breathing during aerobic exercise can affect your heart rate and thus your performance and endurance. Many adults have developed a shallow breathing pattern.
  

   

• What form of garlic is most beneficial?May 17, 2011 12:00 AM
  Q: Does garlic powder or pre-chopped garlic in oil protect against cancer as well as fresh garlic? A: Garlic probably reduces risk of colorectal and stomach cancers, according to a landmark report from the American Institute for Cancer Research. Researchers are working to understand how and which of the many substances in garlic provide the cancer protective benefits, so it is not clear whether all forms of garlic provide the same benefits as the whole food or even how much garlic is needed for cancer protection.
  

   

• Trust labels, not box front claimsApr 26, 2011 12:00 AM
  A food or supplement company might make a "structure/function claim" like this one because a product contains vitamin A, C, B-6, D or E, for example. But the food might contain as little as 10 percent of the recommended daily amount of one of these nutrients.
  

   

• Walking pace linked to longer life Apr 12, 2011 12:00 AM
  Q.Is it true that it is more beneficial for older people to walk at a brisk pace than at a regular walking pace? A. Your question relates to news reports about research that links longer life expectancy with faster walking speed. These large studies of adults – mostly those age 65 and older – do link faster speed while walking a short test distance with longer life.
  

   

• Ask the Nutritionist: Favorite spring treats can derail healthy eating Apr 5, 2011 12:00 AM
  Q. Springtime candy is everywhere now. Can I avoid gaining weight by choosing jelly beans, marshmallow candies or other low or no-fat sweets? A. The most important step for keeping candy, whether high in fat or not, from causing unwanted weight gain is portion control.