Good Day Alabama for April 4, 2011

Good Day Alabama for April 4, 2011

Here is what you saw on Good Day Alabama for April 4, 2011:

BETH K - Mae West once said "Too much of a good thing can be wonderful". But clever quotes are not always accurate. And when it comes to nutrition, too much of a good thing can be a bad thing. Here are some examples of healthy recommendations gone too far:

- Too Much Water? Yes you can drink too much water. Over hydration can lead to blood that is too diluted and low in sodium. Symptoms include headache, nausea, loss of consciousness, muscle weakness and cramping, and confusion.

How to avoid it: The best way to check to see if you are well hydrated is to check your urine. If it is pale yellow to clear, you are in good shape. For most people, thirst actually is a good clue to how much water and other fluids you need. The exception to that is older people who may not sense their fluid needs as well.

- Vitamin/Mineral Megadose. Most people know that you can over the fat soluble vitamins like K, D, E, and A. But many don't know that you can even overdo the water-soluble B vitamins and vitamin C. All vitamins and minerals have an upper limit that is too much and is bad for the body. You're not likely to overdo nutrients from food.

- Too Much Fiber. While most people don't get enough fiber, you can overdo it. We usually recommend 25 to 35 grams a day. Most fruits and vegetables have about 3 to 5 grams in a serving. Some high fiber cereals can have as much as 10 grams. Too much of this good thing could bind up some of your vitamins and minerals and lower their absorption. You could also have diarrhea, stomach cramping, and become dehydrated.

- Too Much Fish Oil Supplements. If you don't eat 2 to 3 servings of high fat fish a week, then your doctor may recommend fish oil supplements. There is good evidence that the omega 3 fats in fish oil can lower blood pressure, triglycerides, and your risk of heart disease. One of the ways fish oil lowers your risk of heart disease is to thin the blood. But too much of this good thing can lead to excessive bleeding. So keep the fish oil to no more than 3 grams a day!

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http://www.myfoxal.com/story/14376973/good-day-alabama-for-april-4-2011

NYT: Colorless Food? We Blanch

Colorless Food? We Blanch
By GARDINER HARRIS
Published: April 2, 2011

WASHINGTON — Without the artificial coloring FD&C Yellow No. 6, Cheetos Crunchy Cheese Flavored Snacks would look like the shriveled larvae of a large insect. Not surprisingly, in taste tests, people derived little pleasure from eating them.