The Healthiest Meal Ever (According to Some Scientists)

A group of British food researchers have chosen what they believe to be the healthiest meal ever. It's based around several proven "superfoods" and the researchers say it's delicious as well as good-for-you!

The Leatherhead Food Research organization looked at over 4000 health-boosting claims used by food manufacturers and their marketing teams. Of those only 222 were considered to be based on real scientific evidence. Omega 3 fatty acids (found in fish and seafood) and whole grains were two well-known foods that made the cut.

The "healthiest" meal according to the Leatherhead geeks starts off with fresh and smoked salmon terrine and includes a mixed leaf salad with extra virgin olive oil dressing. The health main meal is chicken casserole with lentils and mixed vegetables. Desert is a "live yogurt" blancmange that includes fresh walnuts and a no-sugar caramel sauce topping.

A Glucomannan and berry-based shake was touted as the ideal meal replacement for dieters. Hot chocolate was also recommended because of the health-boosting properties of cacao. For some reason the scientists also included a special sports drink packed with micro-nutrients like selenium and magnesium.

According to top researcher Dr Paul Berryman:

"We have also shown that healthy foods do not have to be dull... We carry out thousands of consumer taste tests a year and one thing is clear. No matter how healthy, if foods do not taste good they will not sell."

We say: We're not so sure about the conclusions of these food geeks. The real healthiest meal ever would almost definitely be a paleo diet meal based around natural proteins and low-glycemic vegetables!

Learn some mo': Healthiest meal ever: After editing thousands of claims, scientists serve up a superdish

Vitamin D and Calcium Supplements Might Help You Live Longer

Taking vitamin D and calcium supplement may help you live longer, according to new research from Denmark. Researchers found that vitamin D by itself did not lead to longer life, but when combined with calcium the supplements caused a 9% decrease in overall mortality.

According to the researchers, the vitamin D/calcium combo did more than just protect the bones from osteoporosis and fractures. They appear to help protect health in the elderly in other ways that aren't completely clear.

Some experts believe that calcium and vitamin D supplements may help to improve cardiovascular health while also improving overall cell function. In regards to the recent studies showing no benefit taking D+calcium supplements, many claim those studies to be flawed because participants didn't take high enough levels of the nutrients.

According to study author Dr. Lars Rejnmark:

"Our study provides evidence of a cause-effect relationship -- that calcium and vitamin D causes beneficial effects to general health... Calcium with vitamin D has now been proven to reduce risk of osteoporotic fractures and death in the elderly."

Experts recommend that adults take up to 2,000 IU of vitamin D and about 1200 mg of calcium each and every day. Try to get it from both food and supplements if possible. According to Dr. Michael Holick, a professor of medicine at Boston University School of Medicine:

"[By taking vitamin D and calcium supplements] you will preserve your bone health, you will improve muscle strength and you may have additional health benefits including [lowering the] risk of cardiovascular disease, certain cancers, type 2 diabetes and infectious diseases... There is no downside to increasing your vitamin D intake."

Learn some mo': Vitamin D Plus Calcium May Extend Life

Intravenous Vitamin Therapy: The New Celebrity "Drug"

Apparently, intravenous vitamin drips are the new "drugs" of choice for some movie stars, singers, and other A-list celebrities. The IV vitamin fad has been simmering in the United States for some time, but it has just now hit the mainstream in a big way after pop singer Rihanna tweeted a photo of her "party-girl drip" IV stuck in her arm.

Some claim this strange medical procedure provides a huge energy boost while protecting over-worked celebs from flu's, colds, and fatigue. Several doctors even promote IV nutrients as the perfect anti-aging treatment for people who can afford them. Carmen Keys is a high-level music executive who takes a 45-minute liquid vitamin infusion every week and says:

"Instead of feeling energized, you feel alive. Eating a salad, taking a nap and traditional vitamins don't compare... That would probably do four percent of what this does!"

These energy-boosting cocktails are quickly growing in popularity, especially in high-end "medical spas" and anti-aging clinics on the West Coast. But many doctors and health experts warn that, in most cases, the negatives (like infection risk, high cost, etc) don't outweigh the positives. In fact, some doctors believe the great feelings people experience after a vitamin drip are almost completely due to the placebo effect.

Still, there is increasing evidence that certain types of IV vitamin therapies -- like intravenous vitamin C -- may provide some very real treatment/cure benefits, at least in cases of severe disease. And people have used B-vitamin injections for years to boost energy and vitality. So maybe there is something to this new celeb energy fad.

Or maybe it's just another stupid thing for rich people to spend their money on!!  :)

Learn some mo': Vitamin Drip Infusions Gain Favor in Hollywood

Xbox SmartGlass System Promises to Make Home Entertainment A Lot Cooler

Microsoft has just introduced their new SmartGlass system and promises it will change the way people use their smartphones, tablet computers, HD televisions, and Xbox video game consoles. It will run on the soon-to-be-available Windows 8 operating system and is designed to enhance all forms of digital entertainment -- including movies, TV shows, online music, and video gaming.

Microsoft's PR people promise the SmartGlass app will run on Google Android and Apple iOS devices, not just Microsoft-based products. Still, it appears that to get the most out of the system you will need an Xbox video game console as well as a Windows 8-based tablet PC and/or Windows smartphone.

According to insiders, SmartGlass will allow users to stream video and audio content to any TV hooked up to an Xbox. It will allow for new types of video game play that some experts believe will give MS an edge over Nintendo and their popular Wii console. The app will be free for anyone to download and install on their mobile devices.

According to Don Mattrick, head of Microsoft's gaming business:

"We all go into our living room and have a touch surface like a phone or a tablet, but it has no idea what's occurring on the TV...SmartGlass will allow the Xbox to communicate with whatever glass surface you have."

We say: This new media consumption program sounds like it could be cool. But it also sounds like it could be just another confusing Microsoft product that doesn't really work that well!

Learn some mo': Microsoft hopes to enhance games, TV with Xbox SmartGlass

A Boring Diet Might Not Help You Lose Weight

Think eating a boring diet might help you shed pounds? Think again. According to new research from the U of Tennessee, eating fewer foods might not be one of the best ways to lose weight. That's because, although you might eat less junk food and high-sugar/high-fat options, you'll likely eat more calories from other sources to make up for the deficit.

According to UT professor/researcher Hollie Raynor:

"Limiting variety was helpful for reducing intake for that type of food group, but it appeared that compensation occurred in other parts of the diet."

Many experts believe that overall calorie intake -- not food selection/types of calories -- is the most important thing when it comes to weight loss. Of course, there is quite a lot of evidence showing that the type of food you eat is just as important, if not more important, than calorie counts. We don't care what anyone says: 300 calories of pure refined sugar is not the same (health wise or weight loss wise) as 300 calories of apples!

Still, the new study shows that a monotonous diet based around a handful of foods might not work very well. The best option may be to avoid junk foods and refined sugars while eating  wide variety of healthy but delicious foods -- like fresh fruit!

Note: This is closely related to recent research proving that many people have a hard time losing weight during exercise-based programs because of increased hunger and food consumption!

Learn some mo': Fewer food choices don't help people lose weight