Tag Archives: factor

Study reveals TWEAK-Fn14 as key drug target

TWEAK is a cytokine, or soluble protein, that controls many cellular activities and acts by binding to a cell surface receptor known as Fn14. TWEAK binding to Fn14 triggers a wide range of cellular activities, including blood clotting, inflammation, cell proliferation, cell migration, and the creation of new blood vessels. While many of these activities are beneficial — for example, helping to heal a cut — excessive TWEAK-Fn14 activation also has been linked to tissue damage and degradation, including autoimmune diseases, as well as the survival, migration and invasion of cancer cells. "Our results show that the TWEAK-Fn14 interaction is a viable drug target, and they provide the foundation for further exploration of this system in researching invasive cancers," said Dr. …

Be picky about fruit: Best ways to get your daily servings

It’s important to eat fruit throughout the year, and one of the perks of summer is there’s greater variety of fresh fruit to choose from.  According to the USDA’s Dietary Guidelines adults on a 2,000-calorie diet should eat about two cups of fruit per day, and for optimal health benefits it’s a good habit to eat a colorful mix.  But watch how you get your fruit because some commercial fruit products lose nutrients in processing and pack a lot of extra calories from added sugar. Fruit drinks Many commercial fruit juices are not 100 percent juice; some are so watered down that their taste comes from artificial flavors and sugar. To know what you are getting read the ingredients list on the nutrition label.  Juicing at home gives you more control over freshness and quality, but be sure to juice fruit with the skin or you could be throwing away some of the best nutrients. Case in point: a whole apple has 4g of fiber while apple juice pressed without the skin may have little to no fiber. Frozen fruit Did you know that frozen fruit may actually be more nutritious than the whole fruit at the supermarket?  That’s because whole fruit headed for the produce aisle is picked before it is fully ripe whereas frozen fruit is processed right in the field with fruit picked at its nutritional peak. Canned fruit Canned fruits, like frozen, are usually harvested at when they are fully ripe, but be sure to check how it has been prepared and packed. Some canned fruits swim in heavy sugar-based syrup that adds extra calories. Your best bet is to go with fruit canned in light syrup or better yet its own juice.  If your canned brand does contain added sugar you can rinse much of it off right before eating. Fruit safety Sometimes harmful bacteria can contaminate fresh fruits during harvesting. Avoid buying fruit that is bruised or visibly damaged, and it’s best to keep perishable fruits refrigerated at or below 40°F. And wash your fruit thoroughly even if you don’t intend to eat it with the skin. For advice on healthy eating, drinking and weight loss, check out my new book The Miracle Carb Diet: Make Calories and Fat Disappear – with Fiber! Tanya Zuckerbrot MS, RD, is a registered dietitian in New York City and author of the Miracle Carb Diet: Make Calories and Fat Disappear – with fiber as well as the bestselling F-Factor Diet. Become a fan of Tanya on Facebook, follow her on Twitter and LinkedIn, and visit her website Ffactor.com.source : http://www.foxnews.com/health/2013/06/11/be-picky-about-fruit-best-ways-to-get-your-daily-servings/

5 ways to shed weight for summer

Memorial Day Weekend kicks off bathing suit season – and diet season, too. Tempting as it may be to go on a crash diet to shed some extra pounds, think again. Starving yourself skinny is neither easy nor healthy. And quick fix diets, if they work at all, don’t keep weight off for very long. The truth is, you can eat well, enjoy treats, drink alcohol, and still lose weight. Here’s how: Eat more to lose more Restricting food can actually slow down your metabolism. Why walk around hungry when you can fill up on delicious foods that are satisfying and naturally low in calories? The secret is to eat foods that are high in fiber, such as fruits and vegetables - some have a few as 25 calories per cup.   Sip more water Did you know that dehydration mimics the symptoms of hunger?  For good health and to keep hunger at bay your goal should be to drink eight 8-oz glasses of water a day. It’s easy to do if you keep a full glass on your desk at work and pack a water bottle when you are on the go. Give ordinary water a favor boost with sugar-free powdered flavoring, some fresh fruit wedges, or some cool refreshing cucumber slices. Get moving You don’t have to go for a run to lose weight.  Your best bet is to focus on simple strength training. By building muscle you stoke your body’s calorie-burning machine while giving your body a lean, toned look.  Do this a variety of ways: resistance exercises, hand weights, yoga, or take a Pilates class. Spice it up Spicy foods have metabolism boosting properties. Chili, red pepper, cayenne, cinnamon and ginger all raise the body’s temperature and heart rate, which in turn actually burns more calories.   Banish bloating Salty foods can leave you looking and feeling bloated and you can counter that by eating foods that are rich in potassium such as bananas, papayas, kiwis, strawberries, spinach, cooked beets and broccoli.     For more tips, delicious high fiber meal plans, recipes, and proven ways to lose weight and look great, check out my new book The Miracle Carb Diet: Make Calories and Fat Disappear – with Fiber! Tanya Zuckerbrot MS, RD, is a registered dietitian in New York City and the bestselling author of The Miracle Carb Diet: Make Calories and Fat Disappear – with fiber, and The F-Factor Diet: Discover the Secret to Permanent Weight Loss.  Follow Tanya on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn, and visit her website Ffactor.comsource : http://www.foxnews.com/health/2013/05/28/5-ways-to-shed-weight-for-summer/