Tricky Questions Answered- Part 4- Are All Proteins Created Equal?

Not really. While many plant foods, including nuts and beans, can provide a good dose of protein, the best sources are dairy products, eggs, lean meat, and fish according to Donald Layman, PhD and professor emeritus of nutrition at the University of Illinois. Unlike plant based proteins, animal protein is complete, meaning it contains the right amounts of the essential amino acids your body can't synthesize on its own. It is possible to meet complete protein needs with plant based foods by combining legumes, nuts, and grains, but you need to consume 20 to 25 percent more to reep the same benefits that animal derived sources would provide, says Mark Tarnopolsky, MD, PhD, who studies nutrition at McMaster University in Toronto.

Tricky Questions Answered- Part 3- Which Rice is Healthier?

Is brown rice really much healthier than white? Yes, and that includes all grains and breads. If you eat the carbs with the grain ( the label says "whole wheat") it will be full of fiber because it is made from the entire wheat kernel. Fiber takes up room in your stomach and sends a signal to your brain that you're full. But if the fiber is taken out, as is the case with refined carbs such as white rice and bread, fast-rising blood sugar triggers your pancreas to release a flood of insulin which not only lowers blood sugar, but also signals your body to store fat. A study from Penn State University compared how much belly fat people lost when they ate whole grains instead of refined grains, and the results were significant. The whole grain eaters lost 2.4 times more fat.

By avoiding refined foods, you also avoid foods that are high on the glycemic index, the scale that gauges the degree to which carbohydrates increase the level of sugar in the blood. Dining at regular intervals, eating some protein and fat at every meal, and choosing whole grains such as whole wheat breads and pastas will help manage your blood sugar level, your cravings, and your fat storage.

Tricky Nutrition Questions Answered- Part 2- What's A Healthy Energy Booster?

Coffee. The caffeine in one cup of black coffee should get you about 5 hours (give or take) of alertness. Researchers have found that coffee is packed with antioxidants, and studies have shown that it enhances short-term memory and helps protect against dementia and cancer. The jolt you feel from an energy drink comes mostly from sugar, which, aside from adding calories, sets you up for an inevitable crash.

Tricky Nutrition Questions Answered- Part 1- Is chicken a better choice than beef?

I ran across a very interesting article on food selection in MSN health written by Joel Weber in Women's Health magazine that I would like to summarize for you in several parts covering different topics.

Is chicken really a better choice than beef? Not always, depending on how the chicken or cow was raised. Organic-fed, pasture raised chicken without the skin is very healthy, but most of us don't eat chickens that are grass fed. Today's non-organic chicken is raised in a way that promotes fat growth. The average piece of chicken has 266 percent more fat than it did in 1971, and the protein content has dropped by one third, according to the researchers at the Institute of Brain Chemistry and Human Nutrition at London Metropolitan University.

In addition, many cows are fed unlimited supplies of corn to fatten them up as quickly as possible. Grass-fed beef has a different taste than conventional beef and has 16 percent fewer calories, 27 percent less fat, 10 percent more protein, and a healthier balance of omega-3 to omega-6 fatty acids. The better choice really depends on the quality of the cut you get, not the kind of meat it is.

Looking forward to sharing the next tricky nutrition question with you next week!

Smile Wider and Live Longer!

People with large smiles may actually live longer according to a study at Michigan's Wayne State University. We are all aware that positive emotions are linked to both physical and mental health, but researchers at the university did something interesting: they looked at photos of 230 ball-players who began their careers in baseball prior to 1950 and studied their smile intensity- ranging from big smile to partial smile to no smile. The players's smile ratings were compared with data from deaths that occured from 2006 through 2009. They then took into account other factors that impact life longevity, including body mass index, career length, and even college attendance.

What the researchers found was that players who weren't smiling in the photos died at an average age of 72.9 years. Players with partial smiles lived to be 75. Those with big smiles, however, lived on average to be 79.9 years old.

So smile often and you just may live longer! And remember, Dr. Souris is always available to give you that smile you've always wanted. Feel free to contact us at 440-734-1146 or visit our website at www.bracesbysouris.com and give yourself a good reason to smile big!

Thanks to Invisalign, Mom and Dad can have a Perfect Smile too!

Hey parents. Are you focusing on your children's teeth and oral health so much that you're neglecting your own? If you've been thinking about improving your smile but don't want braces on your teeth, Dr. Souris can help with Invisalign.

Invisalign consists of a series of clear retainers (aligners) that are molded to fit your teeth using special digital technology. You wear them all day and night except when eating and brushing- when you can easily slip them out to make proper hygiene a snap! Each new set slowly straightens your teeth, and because the are clear, no one will know but you!

Please give us a call at 440-734-1146 to set up a free consultation so we can discuss the specifics of your treatment!

Regular Dental Visits During Braces are Important!

Are you brushing and flossing your teeth twice a day during your orthodontic treatment? Hopefully you answered yes, but don't forget that it's also important to still visit your dentist every six months. Regular dental checkups are important for maintaining good oral health during your treatment. Your general dentist can check for problems that might not be seen or felt, detect cavities and early signs of decay, treat oral health problems, and help reinforce the proper care of your teeth.

During an oral exam, your dentist can check the health of your mouth, teeth, and gums. They will also take time to clean and polish your teeth around the braces to keep them in optimal condition during your treatment. If you have not been to the dentist in the last six months or need to find one, let us know during your next visit. We can provide you with some great referrals in our area.

If you have any other questions about your treatment, please contact us at 440-734-1146 or visit our website at www.bracesbysouris.com!