In the past few years, omega-3 fatty acids have become increasingly popular with their numerous amounts of health benefits. Omega-3 fatty acids work as an anti-inflammatory agent that helps reverse the processes of heart disease, cancer and many other conditions.  As of Monday, April 13th, new research has just been added to the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition on the effects of walnuts and fish on heart disease.

Researchers from Loma Linda University concluded that in healthy individuals walnuts lowered cholesterol more than fish, while fatty fish lowered triglyceride levels ultimately both reducing the overall risk of coronary heart disease. This study was conducted to show everyone including the healthiest of people how imperative and easy it is to simply add walnuts and fatty fish to their daily diet.

The American heart association recommends eating fish 3 times a week to reduce the risk for cardiovascular disease. Using this as a guideline, the researchers found that healthy people who included fatty fish twice a week, decreased triglyceride levels by 11.4 percent. In addition, adding 1.5 ounces of walnuts to their eating regimen lowered their LDL levels by 9.3 percent compared to a control diet based on USDA recommendations. Studies have shown that walnuts can significantly reduce blood cholesterol. Walnuts are rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids, and they also help keep blood vessels healthy and elastic.

Some of the highest levels of omega-3 fats can be found fish like mackerel, lake trout, herring, sardines, albacore tuna, and salmon.  The reason for this being, that fish is a good source of protein and doesn’t have the high saturated fat like ones found in fatty meats.  

Tanya Zuckerbrot, MS, RD is a nutritionist and founder of Skinnyandthecity.com.    She is also the creator of The F-Factor Diet™, an innovative nutritional program she has used for more than ten years to provide hundreds of her clients with all the tools they need to achieve easy weight loss and maintenance, improved health and well-being.  For more information log onto www.FFactorDiet.com.

Dear Yvonne,
My husband & I have been married for 29 years and are just now opening up sexually, REALLY opening up. He gets back from Afghanistan in 45 days, and after 6 months gone, I can’t wait. He loves getting oral sex and I love giving it to him, but I wanted to know if there are any foods he can eat that will change the taste of his semen. 
- Noreen

Dear Noreen,
To improve the taste of his semen, eat acidic foods, like fruits, for a sweeter taste. So citrus (especially lemon), cranberry and pineapple, as well as juices made from such, are often recommended. Cardamom, cinnamon, and peppermint are also said to make him tastier. Certain vegetables can work to his benefit in the taste department, for example, celery and parsley, but broccoli, cauliflower, asparagus and beets will NOT work.

Foods that can further affect his taste for the worse are red meat and fish, since these are alkaline-based. Garlic, onion, chemically processed liquor, drugs and nicotine tend to affect his taste for the worse. The high bacterial content of dairy products also has a negative effect on his semen’s taste. Lastly, your husband should be mindful of consuming strong tasting foods and spices, which end up getting secreted by his body, changing his flavor and overall odor.

Dr. Yvonne Kristín Fulbright is a sex educator, relationship expert, columnist and founder of Sexuality Source Inc. She is the author of several books including, “Touch Me There! A Hands-On Guide to Your Orgasmic Hot Spots.”