Nutrition Know-How
First for Women
By: Ann Louise Gittleman
May 19, 2008

Why are my iron levels still so low?

I’ve been a semi-vegetarian for about five years, getting protein mainly form soy and beans.  And even though I take a multivitamin, I test positive for borderline anemia at every physical.  How can I get my iron levels up?

Taking a multivitamin is a great start, but it’s not always a magic bullet.  That’s because nonmeat sources of protein—including soy foods, beans and nuts—contain phytates, plant compounds that actually flush iron from the body.  The fix: Increase your intake of inulin.  This healthy sugar fosters the growth of iron-loving intestinal mucosal cells.  As a result, absorption of iron from plant sources rises, elevating blood levels of the nutrient by up to 15 percent.  Great food sources of inulin include asparagus, artichokes and bananas.  If you prefer to take it in supplement form, try Now Inulin.  For best results, consue 1 tsp. of this powder twice daily.

Help! My healthy diet isn’t working.

After indulging in high-carb comfort foods like mac-and-cheese this past winter, I ended up 23 pounds heavier.  So two weeks ago I switched to eating more lean protein and veggies, but the scale hasn’t budged.  What gives?

The problem could lie with your liver: A new study found that refined carbohydrates (such as those in some brands of pasta) stimulate activity of SCD, a liver enzyme that signals the liver to store calories as fat.  It also strains the organ, making it less efficient at burning existing fat.  Once stimulated, SCD can remain active for months.  To jump-start weight loss, drink the juice of half a lemon in 10oz. of warm water every morning.  At night, have a cup of parsley tea.  Lemon’s ascorbic acid and parsley’s chlorophyllins are antioxidants proven to reduce the activity of fat-packing SCD, restoring organ function in two weeks.

Can this nutrient really eliminate a potbelly?

My friend recently told me that when she took an ALA supplement to lower her cholesterol, she dropped two pant sizes.  I could use this “side effect” to get rid of my belly bulge—but can I expect similar results?

It’s true: Alpha-lipoic acid (ALA), an antioxidant known to lower cholesterol and ease symptoms of diabetes, can also stimulate the shedding of visceral fat.  This type of fat is tough to burn because it’s located deep within the abdominal cavity, where it surrounds organs (and creates the outward appearance of a potbelly).  The good news is, ALA increases activity of the hormone leptin on visceral fat cells.  This spurs the cells to release their contents for energy, slimming the waist by up to an inch per week.  While ALA is found in food sources such as beef and broccoli, a supplement is required to hit the study-backed daily dose of 600 mg.  One to try: Source Naturals Alpha Lipoic Acid 300 mg.