#The Beauty of Millipedes (Op-Ed) This article was published originally at The Conversation. The publication contributed the article to Live Science's Expert Voices:
Op-Ed & Insights. I stumbled through the forest attempting to find a path I knew was there.
It didn t take that long to find the decaying bridge now being overtaken by blackberry and multiflora rose.
That is where I had marked a spot for some moist leaf litter. I crouched and dug around in the litter to find an inch-long creature chestnut-brown with pink highlights curled up on top of the dirt.
I had found my quarry. My three-week quest was in the state of Ohio in the US.
I came to collect millipedes the many-legged cousins of insects and spiders. My goal was to survey the state s species photographing
and collecting as many as possible during my stay. Ohio sits on the northwestern edge of Appalachia a hotspot of diversity for millipedes.
The southern portion of the state is known for its rolling hills and it is also where
I grew up. Millipedes aren t particularly well known by the general public or even by most scientists for that matter.
They are not as showy as birds or butterflies and millipede identification can be tricky.
Despite this lack of recognition millipedes go about their daily routines as recycling machines on the forest floor.
They power through the undergrowth with their many legs two pairs on most segments but not quite the 1000 implied by their common name bulldozing through the dirt
and feeding on dead leaves and other detritus that accumulates on the forest floor. Millipedes return nutrients to the ecosystem
and keep dead leaves from piling up in the forest. Though millipedes aren known t for their beauty perhaps they should be.
Many of the species I searched for are in the family Xystodesmidae which contains some particularly dazzling specimens.
Some species in that family called cherry millipedes can release hydrogen cyanide a poisonous chemical when disturbed by predators.
This chemical smells like cherries or almonds hence the name. Because it is released in small amounts it is mostly harmless to humans.
These millipedes sport bright colours paired with a dark brown or black to warn potential predators of their odorous defences.
In addition while maize is high in calories it contains only low concentrations of several vital nutrients such as iron calcium and B vitamins.
There is some evidence for other primary tastes with fat most likely to be the next to be recognised.
and fat (although this all depends on what you consider a healthy diet to be there seems to be a new story every week).
A pregnant woman needs more calcium folic acid iron and protein than a woman who is not expecting according to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG.
Folic acid also known as folate when found in foods is A b vitamin that is crucial in helping to prevent birth defects in the baby's brain and spine known as neural tube defects.
It may be hard to get the recommended amount of folic acid from diet alone. For that reason the March of Dimes an organization dedicated to preventing birth defects recommends that women who are trying to have a baby take a daily vitamin supplement containing 400 micrograms of folic acid per day for at least one month before becoming pregnant.
During pregnancy they advise women to increase the amount of folic acid to 600 micrograms a day an amount commonly found in a daily prenatal vitamin.
Food sources: leafy green vegetables fortified or enriched cereals breads and pastas. Calcium is used a mineral to build a baby's bones and teeth.
Many dairy products are fortified also with Vitamin d another nutrient that works with calcium to develop a baby's bones and teeth.
For better absorption of the mineral include a good source of Vitamin c at the same meal
and filled with fiber vitamins and minerals. Lean protein: Pregnant women should include good protein sources at every meal to support the baby's growth such as meat poultry fish eggs beans tofu cheese milk and nuts Krieger said.
which provide good dietary sources of calcium protein and Vitamin d. In addition to a healthy diet pregnant women also need a daily prenatal vitamin to obtain some of the nutrients that are hard to get from foods alone such as folic acid and iron according to ACOG.
For women who take chewable prenatal vitamins Krieger advised checking the product labels because chewables might not have sufficient iron levels in them.
Detailed information on healthy food choices and quantities to include at meals can also be found in the pregnancy section of the USDA's choosemyplate. gov. Caffeine:
and sardines also contain omega-3 fatty acids a healthy fat that's good for the heart.
Fat was used to help create all the hairstyles Bos found something that would have helped keep the hair in one piece after death.
whether the fat was from animals. A textile found on each of the skulls may have been used to cover part of the head.
#Good Fats, Bad Fats: Their Roles in Heart Health Questioned Eating more of the good kinds of fat
and less saturated fat may not be the best way to reduce the risk of heart disease a new review suggests.
Researchers did not find a strong link that people who ate lots of the good (polyunsaturated fats found in vegetable oils
and low amounts of saturated fats found in foods such as butter and pork had reduced a risk of heart disease.
The researchers concluded their analysis did not yield clearly supportive evidence for current cardiovascular guidelines
The 3 Types of Fats Explained However the results did show a link between eating more trans fats which are hydrogenated the partially oils added to foods to keep them fresh longer and an increased risk of heart disease.
In other words the advice that people should avoid trans fats is still good advice. The new study was a meta-analysis of 72 previous studies involving more than 600000 people in 18 countries.
Our report was an attempt to do the most comprehensive assessment of fatty acids by combining data from all previous studies into a single investigation said study author Dr. Rajiv Chowdhury a cardiovascular epidemiologist
Reducing risk Chowdhury and colleagues carried out the study to shed light on the role of fat in coronary heart disease.
Some guidelines have suggested that eating more polyunsaturated fats which are found in high levels in foods such as salmon walnuts
when it came to eating specific types of fat such as linoleic acid and arachidonic acid which are both polyunsaturated fatty acids the effects of the fat on cardiovascular risk varied widely even
when the researchers looked at members of the same family of fats Chowdhury told Live Science.
Another analysis reviewed for the new study found no evidence that supplementing with omega-3 or omega-6 fatty acids could reduce heart disease risk Chowdhury said.
which are loaded with saturated fat to the diet the researchers said. Other research has suggested that
when some people attempt to eat less saturated fat they often eat more carbohydrates instead rather than making healthier food choices.
Van horn said the paper questions the strength of the evidence underlying recommendations for eating a lot of polyunsaturated fats or limiting saturated fats.
because the study does not say that saturated fat is not a problem Van horn told Live Science.
The AHA currently recommends that no more than 6 percent of a person's total daily calories come from saturated fat.
Saturated fats and trans fats should still be limited in the diet she said. And polyunsaturated fats such as safflower oil and monounsaturated fats like olive oil are still useful for cooking.
A diet high in fruits vegetables whole grains unsalted nuts and fish remains the best course of action to achieve a heart-healthy diet Van horn said.
and was linked to an unhealthy buildup of fat in the liver. Raspberry ketone: Oz has called raspberry ketones the No. 1 miracle fat-burner.
because the algae they consume are loaded with beta carotene an organic chemical that contains a reddish-orange pigment.
#Are saturated Fats as Bad as We Have been led to Believe?(Op-Ed) This article was published originally at The Conversation.
A US heart researcher looks set to inflame an argument over saturated fats. It has long been a health mantra that too much saturated fat like cheese
and butter contributes to higher cholesterol and an increased risk of heart disease. But an editorial published in Open Heart suggests that saturated fats aren t as bad as we have been led to believe.
Author James Dinicolantonio a cardiovascular research scientist at Saint luke s Mid America Heart Institute argues that the association between the high proportion of fat in total consumed calories
and an increased risk of degenerative heart disease was based on selective data from the 1950s that overstated the risk.
And the recommendations that it led to that we lower our intake of saturated fat and cholesterol and increase carbohydrate has given rise to the surging obesity.
when saturated fat was replaced with polyunsaturated fat. In other words saturated fat many not increase your risk (as the study found)
but substituting with a better fat could lower it. Sullivan said a Mediterranean style diet recommended by Dinicolantonio was most definitely a low saturated fat diet.#
This article rubbishes the relationship with saturated fat and CVD misrepresents the scientific evidence and then goes on to put the blame on sugar.#
Olive oil's unsaturated fat reacts with certain compounds in vegetables to form a third compound that can reduce blood pressure the researchers found.
The Mediterranean diet includes unsaturated fats found in olive oil fish and nuts as well as vegetables like spinach celery and carrots that are rich in nitrogen compounds.
Despite being high in fats which might increase the risk of heart disease the Mediterranean diet seems to prevent heart disease the researchers said.
This may be because fats are eaten together with green leafy vegetables and result in producing nitro fatty acids they said.
but it's also a great source of many other vitamins and minerals such as Vitamin a iron and potassium.
Oranges are known also for their Vitamin c content and can satisfy the requirement for one serving of fruit.
and more than double the recommended daily value of Vitamin c. Healthy Bites appears weekly on Live Science.
Original Cheerios used to provide 25 percent of the daily value of riboflavin or Vitamin b2 per serving according to the trade publication Food Navigator.
Non-GMO Grape Nuts lack Vitamin a Vitamin d Vitamin b12 and Vitamin b2. The companies declined to explain the vitamin loss to Food Navigator
but the reason likely has to do with the difficulty of sourcing vitamins from non-genetically modified sources.
Genetically modified organisms have been altered through genetic engineering to promote certain traits such as drought resistance in corn or herbicide resistance in rice.
Vitamins are tough to certify as GMO-free however according to Food Navigator. They may be manufactured from genetically modified organisms
When carbs are processed key nutrients are stripped from the grain including antioxidants B vitamins and iron all of
To stay at an optimal sperm count men should be of a healthy weight keep folate levels high stop smoking
Seafood is the best source for these kinds of essential fats and there are many seafood types that do not contain a lot of mercury.
or other microorganisms and then ferment it until fats formed. Combining these fats with hydrogen would create complex hydrocarbons
which are similar to traditional jet fuels. When mixed with kerosene theses hydrocarbons can be burned in jet engines.
and aid in the final stages of digestion including water absorption and the fermentation of fibers and vitamin absorption particularly vitamins K B1 B2 B7 and B12.
This chemical forms from isoprene a volatile organic compound that trees can give off when temperatures are hot.
The frozen treat contains less fat and less air and is served at a higher temperature than conventional ice cream lending it a more intense concentrated flavor.
but may contain up to 2-percent butterfat giving it a slightly more gelato-like creaminess.
I call the unholy trinity) not how healthy (how much Vitamin a etc.).In short it can be hard to trust the food industry.
because they are fortified with vitamins. Indeed the program's sponsors Kraft Unilever and other big players benefited from having most of their products getting that Check in 2009 they voluntarily halted the program that they voluntarily started after the FDA issued a statement saying it was analyzing the misleading food labels.
The healthy elements of this product such as its low fat or sugar content do not make this product healthy.
Because in the end the amount of Vitamin a in Lucky Charms however prominently displayed and clearly explained may just not matter.
or ice cream as a way to replace the consistency of fat without the actual fat.
Excess protein of any kind will be stored as fat in the body and can increase the risk of dehydration.
Different whey protein powders can vary in calories and fat and lactose content. Whey protein isolate is 90 percent protein
and as the proportion of protein goes down the fat and lactose content in a whey protein supplement increases.
Because of the chemical composition of the polyacetylenes she predicts that cooking them in fat may cause more to be lost into the fat than preparing the carrots in water by boiling or steaming.
and Vitamin c and they are also low in calories have only a trace of sodium and no fat or cholesterol.
1 large apple (8 oz/242 g) Raw edible weight portion Calories 130 Calories from Fat 0*Percent Daily Values(%DV
Apples are loaded with Vitamin c. Almost half of an apple's Vitamin c content is just under the skin
so it's a good idea to eat apples with their skins. Flores said that this is also where apples'fiber is found.
Less than 200 years ago the invention of the chocolate press by Casparus van Houten senior made it possible to separate roasted cocoa beans into cocoa butter
and cocoa butter to produce an eating chocolate and in 1847 the Bristol Quaker firm of Fry s closely followed by Cadbury s in Birmingham made the first chocolate bar.
The fatty triglycerides in cocoa butter can stack together in six different ways each resulting in a different melting point.
They also tend to consume less saturated fat and fewer added sugars the researchers said.
and potassium and less saturated fat according to researchers who published their results in 2009 in the Journal of the American Dietetic Association.
and bran but it is enriched often with B vitamins. So there are some benefits to white rice but brown rice contains more fiber minerals and phytonutrients.
which is a good thing for getting more vitamins and fiber in one's diet Kaiser said.
Most evidence relied on residual fats found in pottery shards but many of these traces had degraded over time
which are very high in folate a nutrient that is especially important during pregnancy. The scientists investigated the concentration of nutrients in the blood of 84 pregnant women who conceived at the peak of the rainy season
Methylation generally depends on nutrients such as folate choline methionine and vitamins B2 and B6 the researchers said.
In the study methylation in the infants'genes was linked to various nutrient levels in the mother's blood.
Preconceptional folic acid is used already to prevent defects in embryos. Now our research is pointing towards the need for a cocktail of nutrients
and are a great way to add healthy fat to your diet. Healthy fat sometimes called monounsaturated fat in the form of oleic acid accounts for about three-quarters of the calories in an avocado.
Monounsaturated fats can help lower cholesterol and improve heart health. Avocados also have a higher percentage of protein about 4 grams than other fruits.
Their sugar levels are also comparatively low. Avocados contain many essential vitamins and minerals. They are a good source of vitamins K B9 B6 B5 C
and E. They are also high in magnesium phosphorus iron and potassium containing even more potassium per gram than bananas.
Additionally avocados are a good source of fiber which aids digestion and helps keep you regular.
1/5 medium California (1. 1 oz/30 g) Calories 50 Calories from Fat 35*Percent Daily Values(%DV) are based on a 2000
Heart Avocados amounts of Vitamin e glutathione and monounsaturated fat all help to keep your heart healthy.
but the Vitamin b6 and the folic acid found in avocados can help regulate it. One seven-year study published in 2013 found that avocados were associated with a reduced risk of metabolic syndrome
The monounsaturated fats can help stop insulin resistance which helps to regulate blood sugar levels. Furthermore the soluble fiber in avocados can help keep blood sugar levels steady
Pregnancy and preventing birth defects Avocados are full of folic acid providing about 23 percent of the recommended daily value.
Folic acid is essential to preventing birth defects like spina bifida and neural tube defect. Cancer The phytochemicals in avocados may help prevent certain cancers especially prostate mouth and skin cancers.
The Vitamin c in avocados also helps keep your intestinal tract strong and healthy by promoting collagen growth.
Skin The Vitamin c and Vitamin e in avocados helps keep your skin nourished and glowing. Avocados are used commonly to help treat psoriasis.
As with many other fruits avocados primary risks are related to overconsumption. Because of their high fat and caloric levels (about 200 calories per 100 grams) eating too many avocados can lead to weight gain.
and a special form of Vitamin k associated with fermentation may at least contribute to this effect.
And given it is a good source of many essential nutrients including protein calcium Vitamin a Vitamin b12
and riboflavin there are also sound nutritional reasons for consuming this product. Of course people who are lactose-intolerant should be careful about how much and
The 3 Types of Fats Explained Dr. Thomas Brenna professor of nutritional sciences at Cornell University has done a thorough review of the literature on coconut oil.
Saturated fat Saturated fat is found mostly in foods from animals and some plants. Foods from animals include meats and dairy products.
Plant foods that contain saturated fat include coconut oil palm oil and cocoa butter. Saturated fat raises both the bad cholesterol and the goodcholesterol.
Unsaturated fat Polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fats are unsaturated the two fats. They're found mainly in many fish nuts seeds and oils from plants.
Some examples of foods that contain these fats are salmon trout herring avocados olives walnuts and liquid vegetable oils such as soybean corn safflower canola olive and sunflower.
Studies show that eating foods rich in unsaturated fats lowers LDL (bad) cholesterol and raises HDL (good) cholesterol.
Trans fat Most trans fat is made by adding hydrogen to vegetable oil through a process called hydrogenation
which makes the oil less likely to spoil. Using trans fats in the manufacturing of foods helps foods stay fresh longer have a longer shelf life
and have a less greasy feel. Hydrogenation is common in margarine and shortening. Trans fat is a cholesterol nightmare.
Trans fat raises your LDL cholesterol and lowers your HDL cholesterol. Why is coconut oil getting internet attention and a lot of buyers in health food stores?
As Dr. Willett points out coconut oil seems especially effective in giving HDL a boost. There are several forces creating this phenomenon.
They can also be a good way to get magnesium and vitamins C and B6.
and help with production of white blood cells all due to the high level of Vitamin b6 that bananas contain she told Live Science.
1 medium banana (4. 5 oz/126 g) Calories 110 Calories from Fat 0*Percent Daily Values(%DV) are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Plus Vitamin b6 can help you sleep well and magnesium helps to relax muscles. Bananas are high in fiber
Vitamin b6 can also help protect against type 2 diabetes and aid in weight loss according to Flores.
The fruits contain a small but significant amount of Vitamin a which is essential for protecting your eyes maintaining normal vision and improving vision at night according to the National institutes of health.
Vitamin a contains compounds that preserve the membranes around your eyes and are an element in the proteins that bring light to your corneas.
They also do not contain enough fat or protein to be a healthy meal on their own or an effective post-workout snack.
If you eat dozens of bananas every day there may be a risk of excessively high vitamin and mineral levels.
According to the NIH consuming more than 500 milligrams of Vitamin b6 daily can possibly lead to nerve damage in the arms and legs.
You would have to eat thousands of bananas to reach that level of Vitamin b6. It turns out that the biggest risk from a banana peel might really be slipping on it.
It contains high amounts of Vitamin b6 and B12 as well as magnesium and potassium. It also contains some fiber
and if substituted for red meat can help reduce exposure to fats and other chemicals that promote cancer
And like most nuts cashews are also a good source of Vitamin e and cancer-fighting phytochemicals.
and their bodies use stored fat to stay alive. Most bears are solitary and only interact with their young.
The meal also has 93 grams of saturated fat which is nearly five days'worth CSPI says.
And of course oranges are well known for their Vitamin c content said Laura Flores a San diego-based nutritionist.
1 medium orange (5. 5 oz/154 g) Calories 80 Calories from Fat 0*Percent Daily Values(%DV) are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Immune system Most citrus fruits have a good deal of Vitamin c and oranges have high levels even compared to their tangy brethren.
Vitamin c protects cells by scavenging and neutralizing free radicals explains a 2010 article in the medical journal Pharmacognosy Reviews.
Vitamin c also helps keep skin looking beautiful by helping fight against skin damage caused by the sun and pollution.
Oranges contain Vitamin c fiber potassium and choline which are all good for your heart so the fruits may give your ticker a big boost.
She noted another heart-related benefit pointing out that oranges are high in folate which is beneficial in lowering levels of homocysteine a cardiovascular risk factor.
Oranges are Vitamin a rich. This nutrient contains carotenoid compounds like lutein beta-carotene and zeaxanthin which can help prevent age-related macular degeneration an incurable condition that blurs central vision.
Vitamin a also helps your eyes absorb light and it improves night vision. Furthermore the American Optometric Association reports that Vitamin c can help reduce the risk of cataracts
and may slow the progression of macular degeneration. The Vitamin c in oranges is associated with a reduced risk of colon cancer due to preventing DNA mutations from taking place Flores said.
Studies have shown that about 10 to 15 percent of colon cancers have a mutation in a gene called BRAF.
It is also possible to have too much Vitamin c (more than 2000 mg a day. An excess of this nutrient may lead to diarrhea nausea vomiting heartburn bloating
Additionally orange peels contain vitamins A c B6 and B5; calcium; riboflavin; thiamin; niacin; and folate. One way to get some of the nutrients is by eating the inner part of the peel and leaving the tough outer part.
The pith of the orange the white part between the skin and fruit can be sour
or bitter but actually contains just as much Vitamin c as the fruit itself with a good deal of fiber Flores said.
Some fun facts about oranges include:(Sources: Top Food Facts Science Kids & Florida Citrus Commission) Learn more about oranges and other healthy foods at The World's Healthiest Foods.
Browse the USDA's National Nutrient Database for nutrient content of thousands of different foods a
#Fall Colors Spotted from Space (Photos) Pictures from space show that fall is in full swing in parts of North america.
Carotenes and xanthophyll pigments appear yellow to orange. Meanwhile fiery reds and deep purple leaf colors come from anthocyanins
They're high in protein vitamins and healthy monounsaturated fats and they contain no cholesterol.
Tortilla chips: In 2013 sales of tortilla chips grew faster than sales of potato chips (3. 7 percent vs. 2. 2 percent) and not only because of Hispanic shoppers.
and/or trans fats and many brands of chips are high in sodium. Some health experts recommend baking your own tortilla chips from 100 percent corn tortillas
The orange-fleshed tubers are especially high in Vitamin a (also called beta-carotene which is the carotenoid that turns into Vitamin a) vitamins C E and B6 fiber and manganese.
They even contain some iron. Plus they re fat-free relatively low in sodium and have fewer calories than white potatoes
Sweet potatoes are one of the best Vitamin a sources out there containing more than 100 percent of the daily recommended intake.
Vitamin a is an antioxidant powerhouse and beta-carotene has been linked to anti-aging benefits cancer prevention and helping maintain good eyesight.
While the orange and yellow types contain the most Vitamin a the purple sort is an excellent way to get antioxidants.
1 medium (4. 6 oz/130 g) Calories 100 Calories from Fat 0*Percent Daily Values(%DV) are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Heart health Sweet potatoes are a great source of B6 vitamins which are brilliant at breaking down homocysteine a substance that contributes to the hardening of blood vessels and arteries.
Immunity and anti-inflammatory properties One sweet potato contains about half our daily recommended intake of Vitamin c.
Vitamins A and E also support a healthy immune system and are powerful disease-fighting antioxidants.
While orange sweet potatoes contain more Vitamin a purple sweet potatoes are packed with the antioxidants cyanidin and peonidin All of these pigment-related antioxidants have excellent anti-inflammatory benefits
Skin and hair Vitamin a can help protect against sun damage and vitamins C and E are well-known beauty supplements.#
#They encourage healthy glowing skin and collagen growth. Digestion Sweet potatoes are a good source of dietary fiber
While the Vitamin a in sweet potatoes has numerous benefits if consumed in daily abundance your skin could turn yellow or orange.
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