In the classic Mediterranean diet, olive oil is the oil of choice. In the Hamptons Diet, macadamia nut oil is the oil of choice. These oils are both mostly monounsaturated (70 percent for olive and 85 percent for macadamia), with a predominance of oleic acid. Oleic acid increases the incorporation of omega-3 fatty acids into the cell membrane, perhaps decreasing the incidence of breast cancer. This fatty-acid profile has been shown to decrease total and LDL (bad) cholesterol levels to the same degree that low-fat diets do. However, these oils can also lower triglyceride levels and raise HDL (good) cholesterol levels, which low-fat diets (AHA Step II) cannot. Since macadamia nut oil is more monounsaturate-rich than olive oil is, it stands to reason that these cardiac and anticancer benefits would be even more pronounced in a diet that's higher in monounsaturated fats than the Mediterranean diet is - the Hamptons Diet.
The only healthy olive oils are estate-bottled, extra-virgin, single varietal oils. Similar to wine, each olive will have a distinctive flavor and be prized for different dishes. These oils are quite expensive but should be the ones you use if you choose olive oil.They have the highest smoke points, the lowest free fatty acid levels, the lowest acidity levels, and are higher in monounsaturated fat than other oils. The ordinary olive oils that most of us buy are poor quality blended oils that have very few health benefits. Because many of you will keep some olive oil on hand for using in your favorite Italian dishes or on salads, something I recently discovered bears mentioning - use Australian olive oil.Australian olives grow in a clean environment, good soil, and 46 percent extra sunshine.The oil made from these olives has to pass Australia's high processing standards, and the Australian truthin- labeling laws decrease fraud and confusion in the Australian olive oil industry. Australian olive oil is my choice for olive oil if you are not using macadamia nut oil.
For simplicity's sake, know when choosing an olive oil that it is impossible to get an inexpensive, good quality extra-virgin olive oil.A low price should make you question the quality and even the purity of the oil. Most good, healthy olive oils will cost about $20 for 16 ounces, and many will cost much more than that.
It's still possible to use olive oil on the Hamptons Diet, if you must, but it should be an estate-bottled variety. After estate-bottled olive oil, the next best is almond or avocado oil. However, I must recommend that you use Australian macadamia nut oil as a first choice.
In several hundred studies, this has been shown to dramatically decrease your risk of developing cancer. I want you to understand the scientific background behind my recommendations. Antioxidant vitamins and phytochemicals, which are found naturally in vegetables (as long as you don't overcook them) and fruits, are the key reasons why these foods are so healthy. Nutritional supplements can't possibly contain the same micronutrients found in fresh fruits and vegetables and thus will not have the same beneficial effect as the amount of fruits and vegetables recommended in the Hamptons Diet.
The cardio-protective effect of drinking moderate amounts of alcohol has been shown in multiple large epidemiological studies.The emphasis is on moderation. The results show that moderate drinkers (men who drank five to six drinks per week) had a 20 percent lower mortality rate from all causes and that they lived longer than those who drank less. Newer studies show that alcohol can improve insulin resistance and can prevent the onset of diabetes. The study also showed that diabetics who drink decrease their risk for heart disease even more than people who are not diabetic do. Obviously, though, an increase in the amount of alcohol consumed will incur less, not more, health benefits, because hypertension, liver disease, and cancer rates start to rise when you drink too much.
Finally, we are beginning to understand the issue of carbohydrates. The USDA food pyramid has been an unmitigated disaster, and common sense is starting to prevail. In fact, a recent study proved that the increased consumption of refined carbohydrates is the primary cause of the obesity epidemic. I will soon unveil the Hamptons Diet Pyramids, which will explain the nutritional picture a lot better. The current "dietary wisdom," with an emphasis on eating carbohydrates of any kind and eliminating fat, no matter which kind, has been proven wrong. People simply substituted refined carbohydrates for fat. This dietary change was shown to raise triglyceride levels and lower total, as well as LDL (bad), cholesterol, resulting in no reduction of heart disease risk. Unrefined or whole grains are considered heart-healthy - in moderation, of course.Whole grains that are rich in soluble fiber, like oats and barley, are also cardio-protective. Other important scientific findings that support the use of a Hamptons-type diet:
1. Triglyceride levels increase when dietary fats are replaced by carbohydrates.Therefore, eat good fats and decrease consumption of unhealthful simple carbohydrates.
2. Dietary cholesterol and moderate egg consumption were not significantly associated with heart disease or stroke. Moderate was defined as seven eggs per week. Eggs are a good source of lean protein.
3. Despite the persistent belief that diets high in saturated fat will increase heart disease risk, only two studies found a significant association between the two factors, and hundreds of other studies didn't.
4. When oils that are rich in monounsaturated fat are substituted for saturated fats and hardened oils (read: trans-fats), LDL (bad) cholesterol falls, and HDL (good) cholesterol rises or stays the same, thus decreasing your risk for a cardiac event. Use healthful oils such as macadamia nut oil.
Our website is not responsible for the information contained by this article. Articleinput.com is a free articles resource thus practically any visitor can submit an article. However if you notice any copyrighted material, please contact us and we will remove the article(s) in discussion right away.
Note: This article was sent to us by: Kevin D. Bassen at 03032010
1. Weight loss supplements that keep you healthy and in shape
All articles are property of their respective authors. Please read our Privacy Policy!
© 2009 ArticleInput.com.