FitSugar

You Asked: Muscle Twitch in My Back?

FitSugar — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 06:00:01 -0700

Dear Fit,
I went to a four-day cleansing yoga intensive over the weekend. It was great. I felt so relaxed by the end of the retreat. Come Monday, though, back at my desk, a muscle in my back started twitching, just below my rib cage. I will admit it was a rough adjustment after four days on a yoga mat. The muscle kept twitching off and on all day; there was no pain but it was really annoying. What would cause this to happen? Did I stretch it too hard at my retreat?
- All Twitched Out

The yoga retreat sounds lovely, but I feel you on the back twitch. To see what I think, just read more.

Muscle twitches like yours are small muscle contractions in a specific area, or they can be an uncontrollable twitching of a group of muscles served by a single nerve fiber. There are a few factors that might have contributed to your back twitching: stress, caffeine, and diet. Twitches can be brought on by stress or anxiety; while this more commonly happens around the eye, it can happen to muscles in other areas too. Coming back to work can be stressful, especially after taking time off since work can pile up. If you have dealt with the shock of being desk-bound by drinking an extra cup of joe, the additional caffeine could lead to muscle twitches as well. A twitching muscle is also a symptom of a diet low in magnesium. If you were doing lots of athletic yoga in a hot environment, excessive sweating could lead to loss of magnesium. Consider adding chard and spinach to your diet, since both are high in the mineral. Or, try sipping a sports drink that contains magnesium. My favorite is Nuun - you drop a tablet into your water bottle.

Lastly, muscle twitching can occur post-workout, generally after strenuous weight training or cardio sessions. If you were doing rigorous yoga and lots of it, this might explain the twitch.

Is Your Diet Missing Magnesium?

FitSugar — Fri, 28 Dec 2007 07:30:00 -0800

If healthy living is part of your plans for how to tackle 2008, then you need to ask yourself if your diet is missing magnesium. This mineral is mighty but is often over looked, even though it participates in hundreds of bodily functions that foster good health. It contributes to bone strength; in fact 50 percent of your total body magnesium is found in the bones. It also helps promotes a robust immune system and normalizes muscle, nerve, and heart function. Pretty convincing list, don't ya think?

Women ages 19 to 30 should get 310 milligrams daily of the mineral, and women over 31 need 10 milligrams more, with their daily recommended intake (RDI) being 320 milligrams. The good news is that whole grains are high in magnesium, especially quinoa. An ounce of dry roasted almonds contains 80 milligrams of magnesium while dry roasted cashews contain 75 milligrams. If you are looking for a food source a little lower in fat, then be sure to add beans to your diet. A cup of cooked black beans contains 75 milligrams of magnesium as well. Dairy products are also a good choice, just remember to choose low fat ones.

Swiss Chard Fills the Holes in Your Diet

FitSugar — Fri, 02 Nov 2007 03:00:00 -0700

I crave greens, no matter the season. When it is cold outside, I often choose a cooked green over salads. I just want to eat warm food. One of my favorites greens to cook is swiss chard, and it comes in colors too. The leaves are green, but the stems and veins can be white, yellow or red. The red is my favorite since the color combination is quite dramatic.

Not only is it tasty, and similar to spinach and beet greens, but chard is also loaded with nutrients. It is a great source of vitamin K and vitamin A. One cup of cooked chard contains half of your daily recommended intake of vitamin C and 3.5 grams of fiber. It also provides 30 percent of your RDI for magnesium and 25 percent of the valuable mineral potassium.

Are you convinced yet? This is a super food. Don't know what to do to the chard? Just rip the leaves from the stems. Chop up the stems and sauté the leaves and stems with olive oil and garlic. Or you could try out this recipe: Whole Wheat Pasta with Chicken, Chard and Peppers. It is delish!

Are you a fan of Swiss chard? Tell me your favorite way to prepare it in the comments section below.

Proven PMS Relief

FitSugar — Fri, 05 Oct 2007 02:30:00 -0700

The majority of us are held prisoner by PMS for at least part of the month. Relief may just come in a cocktail. No! Not a martini, but a mix of vitamins recommended by gynecologist Dr. Tracy Gaudet.

Gaudet, the executive director of the Integrative Medicine program at Duke University Medical School, suggests a mix of supplements: calcium, magnesium, and vitamin B6. She has found this supplement cocktail can greatly reduce the moodiness and bloating that often accompany visits from Aunt Ruby. These supplements might even help reduce excessive menstrual bleeding.

Fit's Tip: When taking supplements, make sure you stay in levels of tolerable limits. Taking an excessive amount of vitamin B6 can have negative health consequences. The RDI for vitamins B6 is 1.3 mg/day and the upper tolerance level is 30 mg/day.

Source

What's the Deal With Charley Horses

FitSugar — Wed, 30 May 2007 03:00:00 -0700

Ever been awakened by an excruciating cramp in your calf? Your foot? Both at the same time? If you have experienced one of these nocturnal muscle cramps poetically known as a Charlie Horse you will know exactly what I am talking about.

While no one has yet to pin point a single cause for these cramps there are many theories as to why they happen, what actions (or inactions) contribute to them, and there are many steps you can take to prevent them.

A Charlie Horse could be caused by overexertion of the muscles, structural disorders like flat feet, prolonged standing on concrete, prolonged sitting, inappropriate leg positions while sedentary (another reason why crossing your legs is really a no-no), or dehydration. Some alternative health practioners believe magnesium and/or calcium levels are too low and that leads to the cramping.

No matter why you get them, you want to know what you can do to avoid them. I suggest staying well hydrated (if you're interested in seeing how much water you should be drinking daily check out the Fit calculator) and stretch your calves regularly throughout the day, before you got to bed and especially if you were wearing high heels for an extended period of time. Light exercise before bed can also help, as can keeping your blankets loose at the foot of your bed since the tight sheets can force the muscles of the foot and calve to engage and then cramp.

Interested in knowing what to do when you get a Charlie Horse? Then read more

Here are a few ways to ease the cramping and the pain:

Walk on or jiggle the affected leg and then elevate it.
Stretch the calf by straightening your knees and flexing your foot toward your knee.
Increase the stretch by actively pulling your toes upward toward your knee.
Take a hot shower or warm bath, or apply an ice massage to the cramped muscle.

Sure do hope these help and just try to remember to breathe while you are in the throes of a Charlie Horse.

Are You Getting Your RDI?

FitSugar — Tue, 24 Apr 2007 02:30:00 -0700

Is it me or are you confused about how much of each vitamin and mineral you are supposed to get each day?

Some of my friends take daily vitamins, and some eat fortified foods like calcium-enriched orange juice. It that necessary, or do we get enough in the foods we eat?

The first step in answering that question is to know how much we need to get each day. Here's a chart to make it a little more simple for you. These numbers are the RDI (reference daily intake) for women.

Want to see? Then read more.

Vitamin	Amount	Foods it's Found in
Vitamin A	700 mcg	Carrots, sweet potatoes, dark-green veggies
Vitamin B1 (Thiamine)	1.4 mg	Green peas, spinach, liver, beef, pork, navy beans, pinto beans, soybeans, nuts, bananas, whole grain and enriched cereals, and breads
Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin)	1.2 mg	Asparagus, okra, chard, almonds, leafy greens, cottage cheese, milk, yogurt, meat, eggs, and fish
Vitamin B3 (Niacin)	14 mg	Chicken, beef, tuna, salmon, milk, eggs, broccoli, tomatoes, carrots, dates, sweet potatoes, asparagus, avocados, nuts, whole grains, beans, mushrooms, nutritional yeast
Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic acid)	5 mg	Whole grain cereals, beans, eggs, meat, some energy drinks
Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine and Pyridoxamine)	1.3 mg	Nuts, liver, chicken, fish, green beans, salad greens, wheat germ, nutritional yeast, sea vegetables, and bananas
Vitamin B7 (Biotin or Vitamin H)	30 mcg	Beans, nutritional yeast, cauliflower, chocolate, egg yolks, fish, liver, meat, molasses, dairy products, nuts, oatmeal, oysters, peanut butter, bananas, soy products, mushrooms, wheat germ, and whole grains
Vitamin B9 (Folic Acid)	400 mcg	Leafy greens such as spinach, dried beans and peas, sunflower seeds, oranges, asparagus, broccoli, liver, enriched cereal
Vitamin B12 (Cobalamin)	6 mcg	Animal products such as meat, eggs, dairy products, nutritional yeast, and fortified cereals
Vitamin C	75 mg	Oranges, strawberries, grapefruit
Vitamin D	200 units	Milk, sunlight
Vitamin E	15 mg	Eggs, fortified cereals, fruit, green leafy vegetables (such as spinach), meat, nuts, poultry, vegetable oils (corn, cottonseed, safflower, soybean, sunflower), olive oil, wheat germ oil, and whole grains
Potassium	4,200 mg	Potatoes, tomatoes, white beans, lentils, yogurt, bananas, broccoli, soybeans, avocado
Calcium	1,000 mg	Dairy products, nuts, broccoli, fortified orange juice, sardines
Protein	40-60g (depending on your weight and activity level)	Dairy products, nuts, meat, poultry, fish, eggs
Iron	18 mg	Molasses, liver, dates, baked potato with the skin, kidney beans, chickpeas, oats, beets
Zinc	8 mg	Oysters, red meat, chicken, beans, nuts, whole grains, dairy products, fortified cereals
Magnesium	300 mg	Chard, spinach, tofu, artichokes, lima beans, scallops, sea bass
Phosphorus	700 mg	Bran, Cocoa powder, dairy products, seafood, chickpeas, garlic, lentils, soybeans, nuts, liver, eggs, chicken, yeast

Millet: Not Just "For The Birds"

FitSugar — Tue, 10 Apr 2007 03:30:00 -0700

When's the last time you cooked up a steamy bowl of millet? Never? Well hopefully I'll have you running to the store to pick yourself up some for dinner.

Millet is known as a whole grain, but it's actually a seed. It's one of the oldest crops grown in the world, so I'm surprised that it's not more popular. Although it's the main ingredient in most birdseed, it's nutritious and delicious for people too.

It's got a similar taste to rice, somewhat bland and earthy, and its texture is like cous cous or mashed potatoes, depending on how long it's cooked. Although this tiny round grain is usually yellow, you can also buy gray, white, or red millet.

The healthy benefits of millet should not be overlooked. It has almost the same amount of protein as wheat and oats, the same amount as quinoa, and it actually has more protein than long grain brown rice.

It can lower high blood pressure and reduce the risk of heart attacks just like oats because it's a great source of magnesium. Magnesium has been shown in studies to reduce the severity of asthma and the frequency of migraine headaches. 1 cup of cooked millet provides 26.4% of your daily value of magnesium.

Want to know what else millet has? Then read more

Millet is also rich in B vitamins, especially niacin, which can help lower cholesterol. It contains vitamin B6, folate (B9), calcium, iron, potassium, phosphorus, and zinc as well. Since it's a seed, millet contains no gluten, so it's a great alternative for people who are allergic.

Eating foods high in insoluble fiber, such as millet, may also help prevent gallstones in woman. The fiber supplied by millet may also offer protection against breast cancer.

You can find breads, muffins, and casseroles made with millet, but I definitely recommend cooking some up yourself. Here's how:

Boil 3 cups of water. Add 1 cup of millet, cover and simmer for about 25 minutes. If you let it sit as is, you'll get a consistency similar to cous cous. If you add more water and let it cook longer, it'll get creamier like mashed potatoes.

Fit's Tips: Substitute millet for rice or quinoa in your favorite dishes. You can also use it in place of oats to make "milletmeal," instead of oatmeal.

Vitamins and Minerals: What's the Diff?

FitSugar — Mon, 09 Apr 2007 02:00:00 -0700

First off, it's good to know that our bodies require 6 nutrients:

Carbohydrates
Fats
Protein
Vitamins
Minerals
Water

Carbs, fat, and protein are known as macronutrients because we need to eat them in larger quantities (grams per day). Our bodies metabolize them and turn them into energy.

Vitamins and Minerals are considered micronutrients because we need them in smaller quantities (milligrams per day). They don't give us energy but rather help our bodies carry out necessary and important physiological processes.

Vitamins are either water-soluble (water is required for absorption and are excreted in urine) or fat-soluble (requires fat for absorption and are stored in fat tissue). There are 9 different water-soluble vitamins: Vitamin C and all 8 B vitamins. There are 4 fat-soluble vitamins: A, D, E, and K.

Each of these vitamins have unique roles and functions in our bodies. For example, Vitamin A promotes healthy eyesight and helps us see in the dark while Vitamin K plays an essential role in clotting the blood.
Minerals are either Macro (major) or Micro (trace) minerals. Calcium, phosphorus, potassium, sodium, chloride, magnesium, and sulfur are considered Macro minerals and are needed in quantities of 100 mg a day or more.
Iron, iodine, zinc, chromium, selenium, fluoride, molybdenum, copper, and manganese are Micro minerals, and are needed in much smaller or "trace" amounts.

There are 16 essential minerals and they are also needed to keep the body healthy. Calcium prevents osteoporosis and iron prevents anemia.

Want to know what else makes them different? Then read more

Vitamins are organic which means they contain carbon, and they contain atoms of one or more different elements. Minerals are pure inorganic elements (containing atoms of the same element), meaning they are much simpler in chemical form than vitamins.

Vitamins can be affected by heat, light, and chemicals so proper processing, cooking, and storage is necessary to preserve their health benefits. Minerals on the other hand are considered more stable.

Fit's Tips: To get enough vitamins and minerals each day, make sure you're eating a variety of fresh fruits, veggies, whole grains, and protein. It's completely possible to get everything you need in your diet alone. If you are concerned about a deficiency, get tested by your doctor.

What's the Deal With: Magnesium

FitSugar — Mon, 02 Apr 2007 10:59:16 -0700

I keep reading about foods that are high in magnesium, and I nod my head and I think "Great." Today, when nodding my head I finally asked myself if I knew why this mineral is important to health and I realized I was clueless. So, I did a little research and here's what I found.

Magnesium is in our bones!!!! Approximately 50% of total body magnesium is found in bones. The rest is found in cells of body tissue and organs.

Our bodies cannot produce magnesium so it is important to eat a diet rich in the mineral. The recommended daily intake (RDI) of magnesium is 300 to 320 milligrams for pre-menopausal adult women. If you are under 18 years the RDI is higher - 360 milligrams. Chard and spinach are both excellent sources of magnesium. A cup of each has a little over 35% of your RDI. Tofu is a great source as well - containing 130 milligams per 120 grams.
Magesium helps maintain normal muscle and nerve function, keeps heart rhythm steady, supports a healthy immune system.
This mineral helps regulate blood sugar levels, promotes normal blood pressure, and is known to be involved in energy metabolism and protein synthesis.
There is a complex and not completely understood relationship between the mineral calcium and magnesium. So it is important to eat a diet rich in both.
It is believed that magnesium plays a role in preventing and managing disorders such as hypertension, cardiovascular disease, and diabetes. Dietary magnesium is absorbed in the small intestines.

If you are experiencing muscles cramps, you could make sure you are getting enough magnesium since a deficiency in the mineral can lead to cramping. In fact magnesium is required for over 300 biochemical reactions in the body. I'd say that is why it is considered an essential mineral.

Artichokes: Artfully Yours and In Season Now

FitSugar — Tue, 27 Mar 2007 09:30:00 -0700

I must ask the question - what is not to love about artichokes? They look totally prehistoric. When left alone they bloom into a beautiful pale purple thistle. Their hearts are truly divine. Ahhh....but there are even more reasons to love this veggie and these I will share too.

The timeliest reason is artichoke season is peaking - right NOW!!! Although they are available throughout the year, March though May is when they are at their best. Artichokes are low in calories and high in vitamins and minerals. One globe artichoke provides not only 6.5 grams of fiber (that's 26% of your daily recommended intake - DRI), but it also supplies 61 mcg of folate (about 15% of your DRI). It also contains 4 grams of protein that seems like a lot for a little plant trying to disguise itself as an armadillo. Artichokes also promote liver health, which is important since the liver helps to detoxify your blood supply.

At the grocery store look for ones that are dark green with tight leaves. If you are looking for a recipe with artichokes, Yum posted a tasty pizza with artichoke hearts just the other day. Or you could just boil or steam one and dress it with a little olive and lemon juice. If you have never cooked one before check out Gourmet Sleuth.

Eat up and enjoy.