Health Options Premium http://www.staradvertiser.com/featurespremium/healthoptionspremium RSS Feed for Health Options Premium en-us Tue, 15 May 2012 11:30:00 GMT Vitamin D requires iron aid, and both are often lacking http://www.staradvertiser.com/featurespremium/healthoptionspremium/20120515_Vitamin_D_requires_iron_aid_and_both_are_often_lacking.html Over the past several decades, several nutrients have gone through popularity phases. Vitamins C and E had their heydays. The current “rock star nutrient” is vitamin D. Effective weight loss takes more than cutting calories http://www.staradvertiser.com/featurespremium/healthoptionspremium/20120501_efective_weight_loss_takes_more_than_cutting_calories.html As spring heads into summer, thoughts often turn to losing weight to fit into that swimsuit again. Setting a reasonable weight loss goal, however, is more complex than most people realize. Nutritional needs of women differ markedly from men’s http://www.staradvertiser.com/featurespremium/healthoptionspremium/Nutritional_needs_of_women_differ_markedly_from_mens.html Based on many things, including nutrition, women are not the same as men. However, it is rarely appreciated how nutrient needs differ between the genders and how these differences translate into the foods consumed. Postpartum depression common, cause unknown http://www.staradvertiser.com/featurespremium/healthoptionspremium/20120403_Postpartum_depression_common_cause_unknown.html Postpartum depression is more common than many people think. Estimates vary but generally indicate that 10 to 20 percent of women today experience serious depression after giving birth. Thin doesn’t always mean healthy if nutrition ignored http://www.staradvertiser.com/featurespremium/healthoptionspremium/20120320_Thin_doesnt_always_mean_healthy_if_nutrition_ignored.html Many societal pressures in our community have the potential to push individuals into unnatural and unhealthful eating habits in their drive to be thin. Location, condition of land affect arsenic levels in rice http://www.staradvertiser.com/featurespremium/healthoptionspremium/20120306_Location_condition_of_land_affect_arsenic_levels_in_rice.html In recent months there has been an increasing number of headlines about arsenic in foods. First, apple juice was implicated, and more recently, brown rice syrup was found to be high in arsenic. Oxalic acid in star fruit can kill kidney patients http://www.staradvertiser.com/featurespremium/healthoptionspremium/Oxalic_acid_in_star_fruit__can_kill_kidney_patients.html In 2003 we wrote an article for the Honolulu Star-Bulletin about how star fruit (also known as carambola) can be potentially deadly for people with impaired kidney function. At that time, researchers were not sure why star fruit was causing such serious reactions in people. Extreme devotion to fad diets can sap key nutrients http://www.staradvertiser.com/featurespremium/healthoptionspremium/20120207__Extreme_devotion_to_fad_diets_can_sap_key_nutrients.html Nutrient limitations can impair brain development starting in the womb and continue throughout childhood into young adult years. Our last article highlighted the importance of normal iron nutrition for brain development. Kids’ nutritional deficits might affect brain health http://www.staradvertiser.com/featurespremium/healthoptionspremium/20120117_Kids_nutritional_deficits_might_affect_brain_health__.html It is well-known that an adequate supply of all essential nutrients is required for normal brain development of infants and growing children. A limited supply of key nutrients, starting in pregnancy and up to the adult years, can have a profound negative impact on mental functions. In setting goals for losing weight, get real, stay real http://www.staradvertiser.com/featurespremium/healthoptionspremium/20120103__In_setting_goals_for_losing_weight_get_real_stay_real.html It's that time of year when people set goals to lose weight and get healthy. There are literally thousands of options that all promise to transform your body into your favorite superhero. But do these options really provide the benefits of long-term health and living an active lifestyle for years to come?