A Kitchen Lab

It's a fact that diseases or illnesses of the large intestine such as colon cancer and diverticula can be caused by a diet low in fiber. For this reason, we shouldn't be consuming foods just to satisfy our hunger but also to prevent the risk of both illnesses. If you have the tendency to eat a lot of processed or refined foods, for example, you should be aware that when foods are processed or refined, almost all of the natural fibers are removed. However, one dietary approach that we can take to reduce the risk of diverticula and colon cancer is to incorporate sufficient dietary fiber in our daily diets. What is Dietary Fiber Fiber is a form of complex carbohydrate. A high-fiber diet gives a person a feeling of fullness without added calories. Food rich in fiber includes starchy vegetables, fruits, legumes, whole grain bread, and cereals; because dietary fiber cannot be broken down by human digestive enzymes.  Instead, it passes down the intestinal tract and adds bulk to t...

Cruciferous Vegetables Patients undergoing Radiation therapy for cancer have been known to frequently experience damage to healthy tissues and several other side effects. However, based on a most recent study featured in an academic journal, dated 10/16/13, cruciferous vegetables such as cabbage, cauliflower, and broccoli is believed to contain an anti-cancerous compound that can protect healthy tissues from radiation damage or decrease the side effects often observed in cancer patients undergoing radiation therapy. According to this group of researchers, this anti-cancer compound that has been proven to protect rodents from lethal doses of radiation has already been shown to be safe in humans. This compound they call “DIM” has been studied as a cancer prevention agent for many years, but this is the first indication that it can also act as a guard against radiation. The typical side effects observed in cancer patients who have received radiation therapy are usually a redu...

Being malnourished alone during pregnancy doesn't lead to spontaneous abortions, premature births, or cause women to lose their babies shortly after birth. In fact, teratogens, lifestyles, consuming the wrong foods, or too much of certain foods are all responsible. The Effects of Malnutrition In countries ravaged by famine or war, such as Somalia or Rwanda, the effects of malnutrition on child development are apparent. There are usually high rates of miscarriage and failure to thrive. However, even in developed societies such as the U.S, a small percentage of all live births have shown indications of fetal malnutritio n. However, researchers believe most fetal malnutrition occurs in low-income families simply because, during pregnancy, these often economically disadvantaged women cannot afford the proper nutrition-- precisely, a balanced diet rich in protein and calcium. However, in this post, we will focus primarily on some foods known to cause spontaneous abortion. A...

Protect Yourself Now From This Most Common Food Bug For decades, food poisoning has been a common occurrence globally. In the U.S. alone --- based on data from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) --- from January 1, 2009, through December 31, 2010, there were 1,527 foodborne disease outbreaks resulting in 29,444 cases of illness, 1,184 hospitalizations, and 23 deaths. Of the 790 outbreaks with a laboratory-confirmed illness, norovirus was the most commonly reported infection outbreak, followed by Salmonella. What is Salmonella Salmonella is one of the most common causes of food poisoning in the United States. It is usually caused by foods that include contaminated eggs, poultry, meat, unpasteurized milk or juice, cheese, contaminated raw fruits and vegetables such as alfalfa sprouts and melons. Other sources include spices and nuts. Usually, symptoms last for a few days, and most people can recover without treatment. However, Salmonella can cause more severe illn...