November 2011

Prune eaters rejoice! It turns out that the “dried plum” is the wrinkly wonder of the fruit world. Researchers at Florida State University followed a group of 55 postmenopausal women who ate 9-10 prunes (100 grams) every day for a year. A second group of 45 postmenopausal women ate 3.5 ounces of dried apples. The women in both groups also took daily doses of 500 mg of calcium and 400 IU of vitamin D. It turns out that the prune eaters had significantly higher bone mineral density in the forearm and spine when compared to the dried apples eaters. In fact, several studies suggest that prunes increase bone density, decrease bone turnover, reverse bone loss that occurs during bed rest and increase blood markers of bone formation. No other fruit even comes close to having the same effect on bone. That’s very important information for women since one in every two women over the age of fifty experiences a broken bone due to osteoporosis. Bottom line -- Prunes are an important ally in the fight against osteoporosis.

Just when I think I've heard it all . . . I read about another weird medical craze for women. This time it’s women who are eating their baby’s placenta following childbirth. Not for the squeamish (or vegan) I would guess but it is being heralded as a way to alleviate pregnancy complications. In most hospitals the placenta is considered biohazardous waste and is disposed of accordingly. New moms who want to consume the fruits of their labor can bring their placenta to a professional placenta preparer like Jennifer Mayer, owner and operator of Brooklyn Placenta Services. For as little as $250 Mayer will transform a placenta into supplements she and others believe will prevent postpartum depression, aid in breast milk production and lactation, act as a uterine tonic and replenish nutrients lost during pregnancy. According to Mayer, “They’re happy pills.” Trust me – you don’t want to Google this topic. When I did I found recipes for making placenta stew, placenta lasagna and placenta jerky. Calling it weird is an understatement – especially when there is no conclusive study that indicates there is a benefit to consuming human placenta. I believe that postpartum depression is a real problem. I was lucky and did not experience depression after either one of my pregnancies. If I had I am sure I would have opted for Prozac over placenta.

Make the time to be good to you so that a nasty food borne illness doesn’t take the cheer out of your holiday. When preparing food this holiday season make sure you wash your hands, cutting boards, knives & counters often, invest in a good meat thermometer & use it and do not eat hot/cold food that has been sitting out for more than 2 hours. You really don’t want to be the relative that gave everyone stomach cramps and diarrhea, unless of course you never what to host a family dinner again.

Happy Thanksgiving and Good Health!

Terry

“I am a woman above everything else.”
~ Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy Onassis