Blog

Coffee is a fascinating food!  It grows all over the world and is consumed by people of diverse cultures.  To those of us who have a hard time existing without this tasty bean, there is mounting evidence that coffee has several disease-fighting properties due to its complex biochemical structure.  Coffee has been shown by scientists to possess anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, anti-diabetic, and anti-angiogenic (it prevents new blood vessel growth in tumors) properties that are exerted by Read more…

One of my New Year’s goals is to offer a blog on a regular basis!  I plan to regularly surf the medical literature looking for articles that relate to diet and the role it may play in  cancer risk. Some types of cancer are in the news on a regular basis.  However, one type that is not frequently mentioned, is cancer of  the gallbladder and bile ducts (the tubes that drain the liver of bile Read more…

Hippocrates was a Greek physician who lived from 460 to 370 B.C. and is considered one of the most outstanding figures in the history of medicine.  The quote “Let Food be Thy Medicine, and Medicine be Thy Food” is attributed to him, which means that what Hippocrates knew to be true over 2,400 years ago, was just show to be true in a large population-based study. The study, published in the New England Journal of Medicine, assessed Read more…

Adoption of a plant-based diet is an important step in the prevention of cancer. Although not every cancer can be prevented even with an optimal diet, populations such as the Seventh Day Adventists, who are primarily vegetarian, have a lower risk of various cancers. Globally, persons residing in certain parts of the Mediterranean who consume large amounts of plant-based nutrients frequently enjoy extended longevity. Unfortunately, the United States “Westernized” diet often includes low amounts of Read more…

From the outset, it must be stressed that a consistent (not perfect) and prolonged intake of nutrient-rich foods is the key to lowering the risk of cancer and other chronic diseases. It is well-established that many cases of cardiovascular disease are diet-related and the adoption of a “heart healthy” dietary lifestyle has significant benefits. One bad meal in the context of a consistent healthy diet does not ruin one’s health, just as one good meal in the context of Read more…

Taking a supplement of any kind in pure form is not the same as ingesting the specific agent in food form. With regards to phytonutrients, taking an individual capsule does not provide the same benefit as ingesting a food that contains the phytonutrient. For instance, turmeric, an orange root- spice widely used in Indian cuisine, contains a potent phytonutrient known as curcumin, which has been shown to possess several anticancer properties. Taking a capsule containing Read more…

As Thanksgiving approaches, we wanted to say thank you to those who  attended our tastings this past weekend at Dorothy Lane Market in Centerville and  Springboro.  The “Phyto-Feta” dip was a hit and many of you asked for the recipe,  so here goes:  8 ounces of low-fat cream cheese (softened) 4 ounces feta cheese (softened) 4 teaspoons PhytoGrind™  ¼ teaspoon garlic powder  1 Tablespoon grated parmesan (or Romano) cheese Mix all ingredients together and chill for a few hours to combine flavors. Use with pita chips, bread, or fresh vegetables for added phytonutrients.  For an additional punch of flavor and phytonutrients, rub the outside of your  turkey with olive oil and add apply PhytoGrind™ before cooking.      Have a wonderful Thanksgiving and remember to regularly check our website to  keep updated on new retailers carrying our products and information on how to  order PhytoGrind™ online.  Enjoy!   Mark A. Marinella, MD, FACP

Turmeric is a phytonutrient powerhouse that is being shown to possess numerous anticancer properties. Turmeric (Curcuma longa) is a root tuber known for its deep-orange color and is used worldwide as a spice, medicinal agent, and cloth dye. Turmeric is a core ingredient of the Indian spice mix, curry, and is staple of the cuisine of India and other neighboring countries. Turmeric has been used for centuries as a medicinal agent treating inflammatory conditions, gastrointestinal Read more…