Her Magazine is New Zealand’s only women’s business lifestyle magazine! Her Magazine highlights the achievements of successful and rising New Zealand businesswomen. Her Magazine encourages a healthy work/life balance.
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FRUIT SMOOTHIES AND OBESITY, GENETIC OR ENVIROMENTAL? Genetic research is fascinating and scientists are making new discoveries regarding our genes and our health. A genetic study, published in Science Daily, suggested that genes that predispose people to obesity act in the brain and that perhaps some people are hard-wired to over eat. Genes determine how we look, how tall we grow and what colour hair we have. They also determine behaviour traits and risks of disease. Although nutrition and lifestyle choices are the main determination of obesity, genetically some of us may be hard-wired to over eat or store fat. Researchers from The Miriam Hospital's Weight Control and Diabetes Research Center say individuals with variations in certain obesity genes tend to eat more meals and snacks, consume more calories per day and often choose the same types of high fat, sugary foods. Being born to overweight parents doesn't mean we are doomed to be over weight. The good news is, that with this knowledge, eating habits can be modified to prevent obesity. SPIRULINA NOT SO HEALTHY Fruit smoothies are usually high-calorie versions of fruit drinks and therefore are not recommended for healthy weight management. Many designer smoothies have added herbs or vitamins for health, however the amounts of vitamins are too small to really make any difference to the diet. A balanced diet should not have to rely on fluids to provide energy or nutrient needs. Many people use Spirulina for more energy, however, if you are drinking spirulina in a smoothie with added juice and fruit then expect to be drinking 200- 600 calories. That's a lot of sugar, and contrary to popular belief spirulina does not provide much protein to the diet. Supplementing your diet with a good broad-spectrum multi- mineral supplement and eating plenty of green vegetables would be a better choice. IN SEASON – LEMONS AND LIMES Citrus fruits can play a perfect part in your spring detox. As well as Vitamin C, lemons and limes provide vitamins, minerals and fibre. Citrus fruits also contain more than 100 phytochemicals. Phytochemicals, like antioxidants are the constituents of plants that promote health. Eating lemons and limes has been associated with heart health and a reduced risk of stroke. Add a squeeze of lemon or lime juice to a marinade or dressing or squeeze the juice into your drinking water. Vitamin C acts as a collagen donor in the body and helps re-synthesis of cartilage. HEALTHY LIVER Did you know? The liver is the largest filter in the body, responsible for processing all of our hormones and toxins. The liver must also deal with thousands of toxic substances that routinely enter the human body. Many symptoms of hormone imbalance begin in the liver, this is why a healthy diet low in sugar, alcohol and harmful fats is important. Dim or di-indolylmethane is a powerful phyto-nutrient found in cruciferous vegetables including broccoli, cauliflower and cabbage. Researchers have long known about its numerous anti- cancer and hormone-balancing effects. To get the therapeutic dose that most health practitioners recommend you'd need to eat more than two kilos of broccoli a day. For women with premenstrual tension, menstrual or menopausal problems, di-indolylmethane helps to support healthy hormone balance. www.hermagazine.co.nz | 89