Cholesterol Prevention

Researchers at University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine reported that an antioxidant common to red wine and fruit might help protect against radiation. Previous studies have shown that red wine can combat heart disease by reducing bad cholesterol and raising good cholesterol.

A study at Pennsylvania State University found that pistachios can lower the risk of heart disease by boosting enzymes that help remove unhealthy cholesterol in the bloodstream.

Avoid Metabolic Syndrome

The Mediterranean Diet + Nuts

A Mediterranean-style diet, rich in fruits, vegetables, beans, fish, olive oil, and grains, is associated with everything from weight loss to a reduced risk of Parkinson's and heart disease. Now, new research shows that people with metabolic syndrome--a condition characterized by high cholesterol, blood pressure, and blood sugar and excess belly fat--can reduce these symptoms by adding an extra serving of mixed nuts to the healthful regimen. In a large study, Spanish researchers instructed people at high risk of heart disease to follow the diet with slight variations. Among the group that added 30 g of nuts, the incidence of metabolic syndrome decreased about 14% within a year (as opposed to, say, a 6.7% decline in those who added a little more olive oil). Researchers believe the fiber, potassium, magnesium, calcium, and omega-3 fatty acids in the nuts helped regulate insulin, blood pressure, and inflammation.

Healthy snack attack: Participants in the study ate about five walnuts, five hazelnuts, and five almonds daily. Kathy McManus, RD, director of the department of nutrition at Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston, recommends eating the same amount (approximately 1 ounce) to take the edge off late-afternoon hunger. Sprinkle the mixture over Mediterranean diet-friendly yogurt, hot oatmeal, or a small salad.

Italian researchers reported that a small square of dark chocolate daily helps prevent inflammation of the heart and ultimately heart disease. Researchers said that only 0.23 ounces a day is the ideal amount. Just a little bit of "healthy" chocolate can help improve your health.

TRU Chocolate is rated 3,040 in ORAC (9 servings of fruit and vegetables in anti-oxidants), and has bitter melon, which is known to normalize blood sugar, Noni, ellagic acid, citric extract, and green tea. This "Absolutely Health Chocolate" is certified Kosher, organic, and safe for diabetic, obese children as well as adults by The National Research Laboratory. It's glycemic index is 7.

Suppressing appetite and your desire for sweets, it even causes weight loss when eaten before each meal. It has no cholesterol. With the safe, natural sweetner Xylitol, it has no weight gaining, cavity causing sugar, which makes it great for oral hygiene and cavity prevention. It even helps clear up your skin, strengthen your bones and "brighten up your day!"

Flush Fat

Burger + Frozen Yogurt

The next time you eat a food high in saturated fat, follow it with a low-fat, calcium-rich dessert. Calcium binds to fatty acids in the digestive tract, blocking their absorption. In one study, participants who ate 1,735 mg of calcium from low-fat dairy products (about as much as in five 8-ounce glasses of fat-free milk) blocked the equivalent of 85 calories a day.

Beef up calcium: Researchers haven't determined exactly how much calcium you should consume with each high-fat meal, says Cynthia Heiss, PhD, RD. "But by including a glass of fat-free or soy milk or a fortified juice with a fatty meal, you may get a boost if you're trying to lose weight," she says.