KTK-Nutrition

Watch commercials on TV and you will see one advertisement after another for supplements.   Supplements for brain health, to alleviate pain, to promote better memory, better sleep.   People take supplements for heart health, strong muscles, strong bones, and many other reasons.   But what supplements work and what supplements not only do not work but may even be harmful?   Are there really supplements that can support healthy aging?   Consumer Reports has a great article , “7 Anti-Aging Supplements to Try” in their September 2024 magazine.   The article notes as we age, our bodies change and some of us may be on restrictive diets. *Certain health conditions may prevent or reduce some nutrients from being absorbed, like vitamin B12. *As we age, we may eat less, taking in less nutrients than we may need. *Ability to make new bones slows but we still need calcium and vitamin D. Food is the best way to get the nutrients we need.   The article not...

Yogurt was in the news this week.   Why?   Because the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) will let yogurt companies put a new health claim on yogurt.   One company, Danone North America requested the FDA let them put a health claim on yogurt that eating yogurt reduces one’s risk of developing type 2 diabetes.     What evidence did the Danone North America company submit to FDA related to yogurt and type 2 diabetes? Amanda Blechman, a registered dietitian with the company, stated that Danone filed a petition with the FDA reviewing 32 research studies on yogurt and type 2 diabetes.   These studies show that eating some yogurt may help reduce your risk of developing type 2 diabetes.   A Harvard study “found that a daily serving of yogurt was linked to an 18% lower risk of type 2 diabetes”.       What did FDA decide? FDA noted “there is some credible evidence supporting a relationship between yogurt intake and reduced risk of...

So easy to grab a protein bar and think you are “eating healthy”.   But are protein bars really good for your health?   Are some protein bars better than others?   What should you look for when choosing a protein bar?   Many of my relatives eat protein bars and my sister sent me a great article, Are protein bars good for you?   Dietitians reveal the healthiest options .   This article notes proteins bars “can be a filling snack, or a “glorified candy bar.”   Which one are you eating? Do you need a protein bar? Most Americans are already getting more protein than they need.   When I had students track their diet and calculate their protein intake all were eating many more grams of protein a day than they needed.   There are great ways to add protein to your diet without eating protein bars.   Do you know which 2 foods have higher quality protein than a steak?   Eggs are the gold standard for protein quality and next is cow’s milk...