John Aaron Wellness

I love black beans. In fact, they are a staple of health and wellness, so we usually have them as a main course at least once a week. They’re versatile in recipes, tasty by themselves and very easy to prepare. Black beans also have a high fiber-to-protein ratio that’s hard to beat. It’s this combination that helps in keeping blood sugar in check and maintaining lower blood cholesterol levels. Here’s How it Works: Although black beans are a nutrient-dense source of fiber and magnesium, what puts them at a distinct advantage over other foods is the folate you'll find in these delicious little legumes. Folate (folic acid) is a B-complex vitamin that appears to lower blood pressure (especially systolic blood pressure) by relaxing blood vessels and improving blood flow.   Here’s How Much You Need: While a single cup of cooked black beans only yields about 256 micrograms of folate, tossing them with a cup of spinach salad will bring you slightly over the daily recommended allowanc...

Along with obesity, it seems that high blood pressure is epidemic. What’s amazing to me is that you don’t have to be overweight to have HBP. For that reason, many people assume they are safe from this disease and unknowingly increase their risk of stroke and death. For the most part, HBP doesn’t really carry any significant symptoms, which is why it has earned its moniker, “The silent killer.” So, what to do? Well, check your blood pressure regularly, especially if you are over the age of forty. Then, set an appointment to see doctor if you see a trend where your BP numbers are higher than 120/80. Your physician can help sort through the many medications that can help in maintaining your blood pressure. However, my preferred treatment is prevention thorough exercise and diet. It doesn’t have to be complicated either. A daily walk and some minor adjustments like adding cleaner foods to your diet may be all you need. Take cold-water fish for example. Cold water fish are rich in ome...

This year it is estimated that over 315,000 women died from heart disease. The sad note is that most of them won’t even know they have heart problems until it's too late. Unfortunately, heart disease is the leading cause of death in women across all ethnic and age groups. Commonly thought of as a “mans” disease, many women feel that they are not susceptible to heart disease. In fact, heart disease affects as many women as it does men. In no way is it gender-specific. Because women who die from heart disease don’t usually exhibit the common symptoms (chest pain, chest tightness, numbness in the left arm) associated with heart attacks in men, it is important that women, regardless of age or ethnicity be regularly screened and tested for heart disease. To help get you started, here are a few ways to reduce your risk; just don't forget to discuss them with your doctor: • Screenings for blockages associated with strokes or heart disease • Lowering your LDL cholesterol and...

Almost every day I speak with a new prospective client regarding their recent blood-work and their concerns over their high cholesterol scores. While a certain level of cholesterol is necessary to keep your body functioning properly, too much can be dangerous, in fact, excessive cholesterol can be deadly. So what do I tell these individuals about fending off high cholesterol? I say, you’ve come to the right place. Put on your exercise outfit and let’s get to it! : ) Through the exercise process, your body does two amazing things. It reduces the amount of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol in your body and increases the high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol in your body. Why does this matter? Well, getting rid of LDL is a good thing because in the eyes of your physician, LDL is bad cholesterol. It is most responsible for the artery-clogging affects cholesterol is known for. HDL, on the other hand, is actually beneficial to your body. Researchers believe that this kind of ...

Should your eating habits be based on the red stuff running through your veins? There's a diet if you're tall, a diet if you're short, a diet if you're fat, a diet if you're not too fat, and now, there's a diet based on your blood type. But is this bloody diet worth its weight in plasma or will it go the way of so many other overnight sensations? Read on to get the inside scoop on the diet that will have you seeing red. At the heart of the Blood Type Diet is a belief that your blood holds the key to what you should eat. Created by Dr. Peter J. D'Adamo, the diet boils down to a few key eating habits, which are based on your blood type. Of course, like any smart diet, the Blood Type Diet also leans heavily on exercise and gives advice on which exercises suit your blood best. If you've got Type A Blood, the Blood Type Diet insists your body will respond best to a vegetarian diet. Since you're more likely to wind up with cancer, diabetes, and heart...

If you don't understand everything about cholesterol, you're not alone. Cholesterol can be confusing. There's good and bad cholesterol and numbers that go with each. To actively manage your cholesterol, you need to know about the different kinds of cholesterol and the different ways to reach your cholesterol goal. Know the Basics Cholesterol is a fat that your body needs. But too much of it can build up as plaque along the walls of your arteries, which can reduce blood flow and increase your risk of heart disease. The Good and the Bad LDL is called "Bad" Cholesterol because it builds up in your arteries. HDL is known as "Good" Cholesterol because it helps remove the Bad Cholesterol from your body. Food and Exercise Some foods, such as egg yolks and fatty red meat, increase LDL "Bad" Cholesterol levels. Regular physical activity can help raise HDL "Good" Cholesterol levels. Following a healthy diet and exercising ...