The New Superfood: Oat Straw

It seems there’s always an emerging superfood in the world of wellness. Whether it’s blueberries, blackberries, acai berries, or ginger root, many health-conscious individuals seek general well-being through a carefully monitored, antioxidant-heavy diet. This is certainly an effective way to boost immunity and maximize longevity, but it’s important to pay attention to the research rather than blindly following marketing claims.

Despite it's popularity, POM recently faced a catastrophic lawsuit which attacked the company for exaggerating health claims associated with POM's products.

Today, oat straw (Avena Sativa) is quickly gaining recognition for its wide range of wellness benefits. Those familiar with the herb tout it as the Next Big Thing for its role in improved sleep, mental acuity, cholesterol management, and anxiety reduction.

Though many are familiar with the benefits of oatmeal in relation to skin treatments, oat straw is the green oat grass in its "milky" stage before the oat matures.

Oat straw is high in calcium and minerals which can lead to strong teeth and bones. Some believe it to have cholesterol lowering properties. Studies show individuals demonstrate improved cognitive performance when they consume Avena Sativa prior to conducting mentally taxing tasks.

Finally, the herb contains Vitamin B, which research links to alertness, increased energy, and anti-anxiety properties.

Interested in learning more about this potential superfood? Check out Natural News for a thorough overview of oat straw's health benefits and tips for incorporating it into your diet. 

Nike+ FuelBand: Futuristic Pedometer or Just Another Device to Make You Feel Lazy?

The Nike FuelBand might just be the coolest new product in the realm of self monitoring and fitness tracking – but with a U.S. release date of February 22nd, any device flaws remain to be seen. I’m biased because my Fitbit (pedometer, calorie counter, and sleep tracker) took center stage this year. Personally, with a price tag of $149, I’m unlikely to make the switch to Nike’s product simply for a few cool perks, but for anyone interested in investing in a fitness device for the first time, the FuelBand looks like a good place to start.

The defining characteristic of the FuelBand (and perhaps the most polarizing) is the use of the Nike-specific metric. The band takes into account movement and oxygen consumption to calculate a fitness score, or “Nike Fuel Points”, for the user. Instead of a traditional pedometer that tracks step count, the FuelBand has a set daily goal of 750 points. Beyond FuelBand owners, this value is virtually meaningless. The FuelBand does offer step and calorie count, but one critic described these features as almost an “afterthought” – the real selling point after all is fuel.

There are several products currently on the market that track movement, steps, weight loss, etc. but the Nike FuelBand seems to do a good job capturing the most desirable characteristics and combining them into an unobtrusive, wearable device. Step count, calories, fuel, and a clock are all instantly viewable on the surface of the band and all data can be uploaded via bluetooth onto a computer, iphone, or other mobile device. The Nike Fuel app will be available the day of the FuelBand release.
In all - seems like a pretty cool product, but for $149 it’s costlier than your average pedometer. The slogan is motivational - "LIFE IS A SPORT. MAKE IT COUNT" - but for a non-athlete or regular office worker who squeezes in a 30-minute run on a good day, the Nike FuelBand probably won't get much of a workout.

I’m sticking with my Fitbit…for now!

ZZzzz: Sleep Early to Prevent Weight Gain

Need another reason to get some shut eye? A recent article in the journal Obesity shed light on some of the perils of staying up too late – and the verdict is in: The boogeyman isn’t nearly as scary as late night eating habits!

A series of studies at Northwestern University found that individuals who stayed up into the wee hours of the morning consumed almost 250 more calories per day than their early-to-bed-peers. Researchers divided individuals into groups labeled “normal sleepers” and “late sleepers". Late sleepers were defined as those whose midpoint of sleep occurred after 5:30 am. Compared with “normal sleepers”, those who hit the hay well after midnight consumed more calories at dinner, ate more after 8 pm, and had greater fast food and soda consumption. Additionally, “late sleepers” ate fewer fruits and vegetables overall. Higher BMI (body mass index) was associated with all these poor habits although this study did not demonstrate specific causation by any one of the factors individually.

It is unclear whether this substantial caloric intake is due to ingrained eating habits or availability of junk food during late-night hours, but regardless, hitting the sack earlier could help stave off significant weight gain over the years. It might seem difficult to train your body to fall asleep on the early side if you are typically a night owl, but stick with a routine and aim for 7-9 hours per night for optimal health.