What is the role of Niacin or Vitamin B3?
The third member of the vitamin B complex family, vitamin B3 or niacin (nicotinic acid), also has 2 other variations called niacinamide and inositol hexanicotinate.
The roles of vitamin B3 in the body
It may aid in :
– nervous system
– the digestive system
– skin
– proper brain function
– promotes healthy skin
– improves memory
– regulates proper blood circulation
– controls and lowers cholesterol levels in your body
It also may help breakdown :
– carbohydrates
– proteins
– fats
-And transforms them into energy
It may be important for :
– sexual wellness
– producing sex hormones in the body
And may help fight disorders like impotence and erectile dysfunction
It may improve :
– mental health
– lower blood pressure levels
– lessen body inflammation
-treat acne
Lack of vitamin B3 may cause various diseases including pellagra.
- Vitamin B3 deficiency is also associated with :
– memory loss
– motion sickness
– increased sensitivity to sunlight
Vitamin B3 / Niacin
0.7
5.4
5.4
0.6
3.6
0.3
0.5
1
September is a busy month for food and is the monthly host for additional culinary delights, some of which pair quite nicely with mushrooms. It turns out that September is also National Wild Rice and National Organic Harvest Month. What a great fit if you’re in the mood for celebrating these monthly themes!
Continue reading “Boost Your Fiber Intake – Eat Mushrooms!” →
We continue to commemorate mushrooms during the month of September; however, the ninth month of the year is also National Cholesterol Education Month and National Self Improvement month (no kidding).
Over twenty years ago, the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) launched the National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP) in order to help reduce illness and death from coronary heart disease (CHD) by reducing the percent of Americans with high blood cholesterol.
Continue reading “September is National Mushroom and National Cholesterol Education Month” →
Most kids are excited about the prospect of going back to school–new clothes, new books, new supplies, –an opportunity to reconnect with classmates. But going back to school also means increased exposure to germs. The Center for Disease Control (CDC) states that nearly 22 million school days are lost each year due to the common cold, flu and other infections.
And, unfortunately, as nationwide budget cuts increase, larger class sizes, shorter school years and fewer staff, including janitorial services means a less clean classroom.
When preparing children for going back to school, learning about germ prevention and healthy habits are just as important as reading, writing and arithmetic.
Continue reading “Back to School with Hokto” →
Emphasis on Flavorful Foods with Nutritional Benefits
The standard American diet (also known as SAD) is typically high in processed foods, which tend to be high in saturated and hydrogenated fats, high in sugar and salt and low in complex carbohydrates and fiber.
Two emerging food trends in the US have been identified as a demand for more nutritious food and food with flavor. The latest food trends include get back to basics with meals that are quick, but with an emphasis on flavor and also offering superior nutritional value.
Food with Health Benefits – Functional Foods
While there’s no formal definition for “functional food,” the meaning typically includes foods that provide a health-promoting or disease-preventing property beyond the basic function of supplying vitamins and minerals. For example, tomatoes contain a “phyto-nutrient” (plant compound) known as lycopene and is associated with a lower risk for prostate cancer. For example, tomatoes could be referred to as a functional food for men with increased risk for prostate cancer. Functional foods have also been extended to include processed foods or foods and beverages fortified with health-promoting additives, such as calcium enriched orange juice (to lower risk for osteoporosis). Fermented foods with live cultures are also included in the functional food category with probiotic benefits.
Continue reading “Food Trends of 2010 & Hokto Mushroom’s Flavorful Nutrition – Part 3” →
Last week’s blog targeted the growing trend of simplifying meals with an emphasis on flavor and health. Today’s blog continues with more food trends identified by The Food Channel and CNN for 2010, and how Hokto mushrooms fit right in.
Food Trends in 2010
• Back to basics economy and a return to natural ingredients
• Flavor delivery using international foods
• Food Safety
• Sustainability
• Foods with nutritional benefits
• Food with flavor (Umami)
Continue reading “Food Trends in 2010 & How Hokto Mushrooms Fit In –
Part 2″ →
Despite the abundance of convenience foods and drive-thrus, in today’s economy, families are beginning to cook more at home. According to research published by the Food Channel, CNN and others, quick, simple meals expressing individuality, flavor delivery, and sprinkled with a dash of ethnicity are a few of the latest trends in 2010. Home cooked meals in minutes. Hokto mushrooms can certainly contribute to that!
Also, more and more people are moving away from a “meat and potatoes” diet to include more vegetables and less meat in their home-cooked meals. According to USDA statistics, consumption for meat has been decreasing over the last three years. In fact, this trend has created a new word, “flexitarian”. While not true vegetarians and not quite fulltime carnivores (meat-eaters), flexitarians tend to eat a mostly plant-based diet composed of grains, vegetables, and fruits, but they occasionally obtain protein from lean meat, fish, poultry, or dairy. A quarter of Americans fit the description, consuming meatless meals at least four days a week, according to the American Dietetic Association.
Continue reading “A Look at Food Trends in 2010 – Plus a Recipe Makeover Using Hokto Mushrooms” →
National Men’s Health Week is celebrated each year as the week leading up to and including Father’s Day, which this year occurs between June 14th and June 22nd. The purpose of Men’s Health Week is to increase awareness of preventable health problems and to encourage early detection and treatment of disease among men and boys. Research has shown us that a diet high in plant foods can help lower risk for disease such as heart disease, cancer, stroke, high blood pressure and diabetes. Good dietary habits can begin at any age and mushrooms may contribute significantly towards better health.
Continue reading “National Men’s Health Week: Men, Umami and Hokto Mushrooms” →
The Hokto Kinoko Company will be showcasing mushroom sushi and other exciting recipes at the 17th Annual New York Mutual Trading Japanese Food & Restaurant Show. This year’s theme is “Innovative Japanese Cuisine: Delicious Cuisine with a Healthy Impact” and will feature new products, recipes, and menus.
For more information: http://www.nymtc.com/
Welcome to Hokto’s new website! My name is Leslie Kay and I am a registered dietitian, author and frequent presenter on the various topics of food and nutrition. My specialty area is working with clients and patients that want a more natural approach to better health by increasing foods in the diet that contain unique properties that help to prevent or manage an illness or disease. For example, adding enough fish oil to the diet can help lower triglyceride levels; increasing fiber can help manage glucose levels, and adding the right combination of nuts and plant foods can help manage high blood pressure and heart disease.
Continue reading “Welcome and Introduction of Leslie Kay” →
