Beauty

Calcium

SHORT DESCRIPTION

Calcium is a mineral needed to build and maintain strong bones. It is also needed by our muscles in order for them to contract and relax. Calcium is found naturally in dairy products such as milk, yogurt, cottage cheese and cheese, as well as fatty fish such as sardines (when eaten with the bones), nuts, sesame seeds, dry fruits, dark green leafy vegetables (such as cabbage). These days, calcium supplements can be found in orange juice and mineral water, as well as in foods such as breakfast cereals and breakfast bars.

WHAT IS FOOD RICH IN CALCIUM?

They give us extra calcium.

MARKING EXAMPLE

«Used to build the skeletal system and keep it healthy.»

BRIEF CONCLUSIONS. ARE CALCIUM SUPPLEMENTS HELPFUL FOR US?

These supplements can be a useful addition to the diet of people who do not get enough calcium from foods that are naturally rich in calcium. Just keep in mind that high-sugar, high-salt breakfast cereals, as well as breakfast bars that are exceptionally high in sugar, are not really balanced healthy foods. When choosing foods and drinks that are fortified with calcium and designed to increase its level in your body, you should be especially careful when choosing foods and drinks for your table.

Plant Based Estrogen Supplements

SHORT DESCRIPTION

Plant-derived estrogens occur naturally in foods such as soy and lentils. Now they are added, for example, to bread.

FUNCTIONS

Plant estrogens are «supernutrients» and, being very similar in form to the estrogen produced by the human adrenal glands, they have the ability to bind to estrogen receptors in our body, which are found, for example, in the tissues of the pectoral muscles in women and in men. prostate. It is because of this feature that they appear to reduce the risk of breast and prostate cancer. Plant-derived estrogens mimic the function of human estrogen and seem to help relieve menopausal symptoms (“hot flashes”) to some extent in women and improve bone health in humans.

MARKING EXAMPLE

«It is a rich source of plant-derived estrogens.»

BRIEF CONCLUSIONS. ARE PLANT ESTROGEN SUPPLEMENTS HELPFUL FOR US?

Nobody really knows this. However, it is certainly known that there is no harm from them, and it is possible that they are very useful. Instead of eating foods with plant-based estrogen supplements, you can also simply include soy milk, bean curd (tofu), and plenty of legumes, which are natural sources of plant-based estrogens, in your diet.

soy proteins

SHORT DESCRIPTION

Soy proteins are now added to some foods, such as breakfast cereals and certain biscuits.

FUNCTIONS

There is fairly strong evidence that the proteins found in soy help lower bad cholesterol (low-density lipoprotein) levels in the blood. It is believed that the consumption of 25 g of soy protein per day is sufficient for this effect to appear.

MARKING EXAMPLE

As with plant-derived stanoid and steroid esters, the following specific health informational remarks may be included on product labels containing soy proteins: «Contributes to normal cholesterol levels» and «Soy proteins help maintain a healthy heart» .

BRIEF CONCLUSIONS. IS SOY PROTEIN HEALTHY FOR US?

Based on recent research, in principle, it can be concluded that the consumption of large quantities of foods with the addition of soy proteins can help reduce elevated levels of bad cholesterol in the blood, which, in turn, can help reduce the risk of developing cardiovascular diseases. So, to reduce cholesterol levels, you can include a lot of soy foods in your diet: bean curd (tofu), soy milk and soy yogurts; and finally, consider foods with added soy proteins.

Reading the Label: An Overview of Functional Foods. Part 1

Reading the Label: An Overview of Functional Foods. Part 3

Source: Adapted from How to Read Labels by Amanda Ursell

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