Tag Archives: Potassium

Sleepy Time Nutrients

sleepBio-rhythms are critical to our routines from sleeping, awaking, working, and hunger. All are energy related, therefore it stands to reason that both nutrient and quality caloric intake may contribute to ones ability to fall asleep and stay asleep. Consider your dietary intake before taking sleep medication; by making a few nutritional and routine changes you may find that you are able to take control of your night’s rest.

Relax, let go of your day.  32% of the population actually meet the Dietary Reference Intake (DRI) of magnesium. Without it the body is unable regulate sleep, its deficiency leads to asthma, depression, diabetes, insomnia, and osteoporosis. It can reduce the severity of symptoms related to: fibromyalgia, migraines, heart attack, premenstrual syndrome, stroke. “Magnesium is required for the active transport of ions like potassium and calcium across cell membranes. Through its role in ion transport systems, magnesium affects the conduction of nerve impulses, muscle contraction, and normal heart rhythm”, stated by the Micronutrient Information Center at Linus Pauling Institute at Oregon State University.

By including a variety of foods it easy to obtain the necessary amounts of magnesium needed for one to fall asleep.
Consume: dark leafy greens (spinach 1 cup raw 24 mg vs. 1 cup cooked 157 mg), pumpkin or sesame seeds (1 oz 150 mg), brazil nuts (1 oz/28 g 125 mg), almonds (1 oz/28g 93 mg), avocado (1 chopped 58mg), beans/lentils (1 cup cooked 148 mg), Mackerel fish (3 oz/85g 82mg).

Zinc Inhibits Magnesium. While it stands to reason that certain medications can interfere with proper magnesium absorption (discuss with Doctor), a study conducted on men, and another study on adolescent boys showed that the mineral zinc decreases the body’s absorption of magnesium. However increased amounts of protein (3 ozs/90g) promote magnesium absorption.

The body needs zinc for cell/energy metabolism, growth, development, cell signaling systems, immune system, neurological development, reproduction. Found in all body tissues zinc is important for enzyme and hormone function, vision, taste, smell, and in wound-healing.

Since both nutrients are critical to the life cycle, newer DRI standards suggest that amounts of magnesium should be increased to the following: Men DRI 420 mg/day and Women 320 mg/day. (old DRI: M 300 mg and W 270 mg)

Depletion of zinc & magnesium can come from consuming high amounts of coffee and tea.

Stay Asleep with potassium.  Potassium is an electrolyte that promotes fluid balance within the body, ridding excess sodium, aiding in cellular growth, and muscle contractions. It is found in most fruits and vegetables containing Vitamin C making it readily available and can be included at almost every meal.
Eat: grapefruit, berries, oranges, bananas, kiwi, avocado, melon papaya, corn, and potato.
Men and Women (DRI) 4,700 mg/day.

Wake up Rested.  Include foods with Vitamin B6 and the protein Tryptophan. Vitamin B6 helps create serotonin from the protein Tryptophan. Serotonin is neurotransmitter that is linked with happiness.  In simplified terms, a Neurotransmitter (serotonin for example), is like the super-autostrada of information in your brain that allows different parts to talk to each other. Tryptophan is converted to serotonin while one sleeps.
At dinner time find health and comfort by including variety of foods: eggs, oats, bananas, poultry, meat, whole grain pasta, fennel or sunflower seeds, figs, fish, peanuts, milk, cottage cheese, and 1 ounce chocolate.
Men and Women Vitamin B6 DRI 400 mcg/day
Men and Women Tryptophan DRI 67 mg

Exercise is equally important to de-stress the body, provide oxygen to the muscles, excite, create neurons, and promote relaxation. 30-60 minutes a day, 4-5 times a week will keep your body and brain energized and strengthened.

Foods that should be avoided are: fried, fatty in taste, salty, sugary, artificial sweeteners, and caffeine 6 hours before bedtime.

A sample menu has been put together to present an idea of what your dietary intake should look like in order to stabilize your bio-rythym and have a more restful night.

By: Kimberly Crocker-Scardicchio

Suggested Menu to Promote a Rested Body
Breakfast
Yogurt
Wheat Toast
Fruit of choice: orange, banana, kiwi, melon
Tea

Snack
1 ounce pumpkin seeds
Banana
Water

Lunch
Bean or Lentil soup
Sandwich: Turkey, Avocado, lettuce, cheese
Fruit
Peanuts
Water or tea

Snack
Apple
Celery
Water

Dinner
Poultry, Meat, or Fish 4 ounces
Pasta, rice, or potato
Dark leafy green salad
Cottage Cheese
Fruit of choice
1 ounce Brazil Nuts
Glass of Wine, Water or Milk

References:

Stuffed Sirloin Steak

Stuffed Thin Sirloin Steak

Thin Sirloin Steak filled with vegetable of choice! May be grilled or prepared in skillet. Serves 4

  • Choose 2-3 vegetables: peppers, beans, carrots, mushrooms, asparagus, *arugula, *tomatoes (*use fresh)
  • 1/4 cup Olive Oil
  • Garlic Clove (minced)
  • 1/4 tsp salt

Thinly slice vegetables of choice

Directions for Vegetables

In a skillet, over medium heat add oil and minced garlic clove.
Wash and thinly slice vegetables of choice. Add vegetables to skillet, cover and allow to saute` for 5 minutes. (*for Arugula and tomatoes use fresh and do not cook.) Remove vegetables from heat to cool.

Select thinly sliced Sirloin Tip

Ingredients for Meat

  • 1/2 tsp Salt
  • 1 garlic clove minced
  • 1/8 tsp Pepper to taste
  • 1/4 tsp Dried Mint Leaves
  • 1/4 tsp Dried Thyme
  • 1 Tbsp butter
  • 8 thin slices of sirloin steak
  • 8 Toothpicks OR Skewers

Combine in a bowl all salt, garlic, pepper, mint and thyme.

Season Meat

Place Sirloin on a plate, rub seasonings into meat slices on both sides. Set aside.

Place about 5 thinly sliced vegetables into center of meat and wrap meat around securing roll with large tooth picks or skewers.

Place skillet on medium-high heat. Add butter.
Add each roll to skillet (or place meat directly onto pre heated 500 F grill). Allow to sear in pan for 1 minute per side. Total of 3 minute cooking time for each roll.

Serve with side of Mustard, Horseradish or Greek Yogurt. Enjoy a side dish Fresh Vegetable Salad

Savory Seasoned Sirloin

Savory Seasoned Sirloin is high in Vitamin B, Omega 3, Potassium and Potassium. Fantastic dinner anytime! Suggested Salad for a Surf and Turf meal included at end of recipe.

Seasoned Sirloin Steak with Mushrooms

  • 1/2 tsp Salt
  • 1/8 tsp Pepper to taste
  • 1/4 tsp Dried Mint Leaves
  • 1/4 tsp Dried Thyme
  • 1 oz Sirloin Steak
  •  2 Tbsp Olive Oil
  • 1 Tbsp butter

    10 oz Sirloin Steak Serves 2

  • Peeled and Sliced ½  Onion
  • Sliced Portabella Mushroom
  • ¼ cup  Red Wine (optional)

Directions

Combine in a bowl all salt pepper, mint and thyme.
Place Sirloin on a plate, rub seasonings into meat slices on both sides. Set aside.
Place skillet on medium-high heat.
Add olive oil, butter, sliced onion and sliced portabella mushroom. Remove vegetables from pan place into a serving dish and set aside.
Allow to cook covered for 2-3 minutes.
With fork turn meat to other side and cook another 2-3 minutes.
Consider a Surf and Turf meal. Serve meat with mushrooms/onions along side  Skillet Scallops Citrus Almond Salad

Fast Food; Fatty Liver

    How often do you eat “Fast Food“ in a week’s time?  Is it the best choice, or the easiest way to “Fit A Meal“ into your day?  Nutrition starts at birth. Life moves forward, “diet” becomes more hectic and evolves from being a way to live, to a way to survive.
     If you are asked to name two questions, routinely raised at any Doctor’s office, most people would correctly respond:
 “Do you drink?”
 “Do you smoke?”
      How often are patients probed to reflect on a daily routine at a yearly check-up with a medical inquiry of, “How many times a week or month do you eat fast food?”  One in five adults are identified with a form of Non Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease.  It would stand to reason that if the doctor does not ask the patient about their food intake, the patient should be asking for a analysis of their liver enzymes.
 Recent research studies have proven  “A diet high in FAST FOOD consumption  leads to Liver Disease (Cirrhosis, or Cancer)”.  “Fatty Liver is the most common liver abnormality in children ages 2-9 years old,” revealed in The Office Journal of American Pediatrics      October, 2006.
    Liver disease can only be determined by having liver enzymes evaluated through a blood draw at a yearly check-up. Once diagnosed, recommendation’s will be made and a new dietary routine will be followed by the patient.

      Awareness about the quantity and quality of fast food, saturated with salt and boiling oil,

Fast food leads to Non Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD)

slowly kills the liver of adults and children, is the first critical step in re-thinking weekly meal plans  .

     The good news is that a Lifestyle Change improving on:  what is eaten, increased exercise,  avoidance of alcohol and limited sodium intake can return a damaged liver to a healthier state.

Once diagnosed with liver disease, your goal is to help the organ return to it’s normal functions, it’s ability to process everything that you eat and drink. A healthy lifestyle can help you feel your best and help your body cope with it’s disease. By eating


healthy and doing physical activity in moderation you will:

  1. Give your body the energy it needs to work well.
  2. Boost your immune system.
  3. Help your liver renew itself.

                                                         

           Eat Well….Enjoy the Healing Power of Food       Keep your energy level up by eating smaller meals and snacks more often. Organs filled with sodium must be flushed with foods high in Potassium: Sweet Potatoes, Baked Potato; Yogurt; Clams, Halibut; Lima, White and Soy Beans: Prunes, Kiwi, Bananas.

  1. Add, 6-8 glasses of water a day will assist in purifying the body from excess sodium and toxin’s.
  2. Enjoy light to moderate physical activity, such as walking, swimming, gardening
  3. Build up slowly to 30 to 60 minutes of activity, at least 4 times a week.
  4. Avoid food poisoning by storing and preparing foods safely. Wash your hands often.
  5. Talk to your health care provider if depression affects your ability to eat well.

Decrease some of the symptoms and the side effects of any treatments, such as feeling tired and sick by following a healthy diet.

  1. Carbohydrates: Whole grains, fruits and vegetables
  2. Fat: Healthy oils such as: Extra Virgin Olive, Canola oil, Avocado and Smart Balance oils. Omega 3, 6 reduces the inflammation in the liver: Fish, Walnuts, Flaxseed
  3. Protein: Fish (3 x’s / wk), Poultry, Lean Meat

What your body does not need 
1. Avoid alcohol.
2. Avoid foods that contain trans fat. Trans Fat must be 0 grams.
3. No more pretzels , chips, popcorn, french fries, cheese, certain meats, soy sauce and Avoid Sports Drinks. Salt, canned and processed foods must be limited.

Tasty fast food can happen in your own kitchen! After reflecting on the latest research consider preparing any of these healthy 7 Easy Recipes under 7 minutes!

Keep in communication with your doctor and dietitian so that neccessary adjustments can be made accordingly to your diet and physical activity plans.

By: K. Crocker

Literature Research
http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/cgi/content/abstract/118/4/1388
http://organtransplant.mc.duke.edu/PDFs/Liver_Pre_3.pdf
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=pubmed&cmd=Retr
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=pubmed&cmd=Retrieve&dopt=AbstractPlus&list_uids=17006918&query_hl=3&itool=pubmed_docsum
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=pubmed&cmd=Retrieve&dopt=AbstractPlus&list_uids=17047295&query_hl=1&itool=pubmed_docsum
http://magazine.wustl.edu/Winter05/SamuelKlein.htm

Sodium Benefit’s & Limit’s

Do you crave salt or sugar?

Have you noticed that your tastes may vary, craving salty or sweet foods in different moments of the day? Years of gathered research from studies done on infant’s to adult’s show that salt  is both a preference and a requirement.  The same research proved that we have a craving for sweet tasting food’s driven by a gene which promotes the need for fruit and vegetables.

“It is worth one’s salt” to understand sodium’s importance in maintaining the health of  the body and the difference between:

  • Salt and sodium
  • Salts benefit’s and limit’s
  • How to interpret our blood pressure numbers
  • Foods reducing Sodium level’s

Difference between Salt and Sodium

While sodium and salt are words that are  often interchangeable the difference is determined between the name of the mineral and the function of one of its element’s.   Salt, also known as sodium chloride  (NaCl) is made up of  two elements: 40% sodium (Na) and 60% chloride (Cl).  1/4 teaspoon of salt contains 600 milligrams of sodium (Na).  The body requires no more that 2300 milligrams of sodium per day, or 1 teaspoon of salt a day.

Sea Salt and Table Salt have the same amount of sodium. Sea salt is produced from the evaporation of sea water, while table salt is: mined, ground and has iodide added to the grains. (which lacks in sea salt).

Salt’s Benefit’s and Limit’s

Briefly stated, the benefits of sodium are found in: sweating, transporting nutrient’s from head to foot, transmitting nerve impulses (250-500 mg sodium just for neurological & psychological function’s) and contracting muscles such as your heart.

Equally important are the limit’s that sodium imposes; when the kidney has an excess of sodium it releases water which then  increases the blood volume.  As the blood level increases, it’s flow within the body also increases the blood pressure.  The heart will in turn work harder to pump blood which in creates instability within the blood vessel’s and creates a risk for heart problems, or a stroke. A great argument for limiting daily salt intake. Limit sodium intake to 1500 mg Na per day (1/2 tsp salt) For those: over age 51, have diabetes, high blood pressure or chronic kidney disease.

Interpreting Blood Pressure Number’s

A Doctor’s appointment will prove valuable  in evaluating an individual’s blood pressure.  As adult’s age systolic blood pressure  increases by four points per decade. The systolic number is the first number documented in a blood pressure reading 120/80. 120 mm Hg (millimeters of mercury) indicates  the maximum arterial pressure  during a contraction of the left ventricle of the heart contracts. It is advised to not exceed the maximum pressure of 120 so as to not force the heart to work harder in pumping the necessary blood that the body requires. While the diastolic, second number “80”mm Hg, represents the pressure when the heart is resting between beats.

  • Rating                                         Systolic                Diastolic
  • Optimal                                      <100                     <80
  • Normal                                      < 130                     <85
  • High Normal                                 135-139                  85-89
  • Hypertension Stage 1                   140-159                  90-99
  • Hypertension Stage 2                  160-179                 100-109
  • Hypertension Stage 3                  >179+                  >109

Symbols:
Less than <
Greater than >

Eat Food High in Potassium to Reduce Sodium Levels 

If no other health problem’s are present, keeping blood pressure within normal level’s can be achieved through simple changes at mealtime. Daily drink 6-8 glasses of water and chew on food with higher amounts of Potassium  (K)  which will push unnecessary amounts of Na from the body. An individual needs to consume only 4700 mg K per day to keep the mechanic’s of the body in optimal condition. While all fruits and vegetables will have Potassium the following have higher amounts, choose any 2-3 per meal:

  • 1 Sweet Potato or  1 Baked Potato
  • 8 oz Yogurt
  • 4 Prunes 0r 1 Banana
  • 1/2 c diced Tomato or 1/2 c. chopped Spinach
  • 1/2 c. White or  Lima or 1 Tbsp Soy bean’s
  • 3 ounces Clams, Halibut, Cod or Tuna Fish
If  blood pressure falls into the hypertension category foods to immediately avoid: Carrots, Celery, Spinach, Beets and remove the Water Softner.

 4  Effective Changes to Reduce Sodium when Preparing, or Seasoning Meals:

  •  When purchasing prepackaged foods READ the FOOD LABEL make sure that the Potassium values are higher than the sodium values.
  • Throw out bottled: seasoning’s, garlic and onion powder’s
  • Reduce salt by 1/2 of normal use
  • Incorporate 1 Tablespoon freshly chopped herbs, 1/2 tsp lemon zest, 1/4 tsp cracked black pepper, a minced garlic clove and/2  onion for flavoring foods.   Herbs and Spices to Replace the Salt Shaker

By: Kimberly Crocker

References