As the leaves turn and harvest time arrives, one can’t help but anticipate the arrival of Thanksgiving, an iconic American tradition. This long-established holiday is celebrated with an outpouring of gratitude and gatherings of family and friends to share a festive feast. The star attraction on most tables is typically a golden-brown, delectable turkey, a lasting symbol of the American abundance. Yet there has been a proliferation of myths about this festive bird, some of which need to be clarified.
Did Turkeys Originate From Turkey?
No, they didn’t. Turkeys actually developed over 11 million years ago. Interestingly, of the two species of wild turkeys, one originated in regions stretching from Canada to Mexico while the other was discovered in areas between the Yucatan and Guatemala. Turkeys were first domesticated by the Aztecs. Explorers from the Old World discovered the bird, took it back to Spain, and from there, it rapidly spread across Europe. It was reintroduced to North America by the Pilgrims who sailed on the Mayflower in the 1620s, oblivious to the fact that they were returning the bird to its birthplace.
Does Turkey Consumption Cause Lethargy?
While it is true that turkey contains an amino acid known as tryptophan, which is associated with sleep induction, the bird also contains other amino acids that likely mitigate the effect of tryptophan. Consequently, feeling groggy after feasting on a rush of festive foods is less about the specific dishes you consumed and more about the fact that your body is diverting blood to your digestive system to cope with a large meal.
Is Turkey Skin a Source of Unhealthy Fats?
Although turkey skin is a source of saturated fat and cholesterol, two components that can exacerbate heart conditions, it also harbors mono and polyunsaturated fats. These healthy fats contribute towards heart and cancer risk reduction, as well as aid in the improvement of insulin sensitivity. Therefore, enjoying a small piece of turkey skin, complemented by lean turkey meat, can help strike a balance in your fat intake.
Is Thawing Turkey With a Hot Towel Safe?
Certainly not! This practice can result in the formation of an environment conducive to germ proliferation. A safer alternative is to thaw the turkey in the refrigerator or resort to the cold-water method, though the latter requires substantial effort and water. Thawing times vary based on the size of the bird and require prior planning to ensure safety and taste quality during mealtime.
Does a USDA Inspection Sticker Assure Freshness and Superior Quality?
The USDA inspection confirms wholesomeness and appropriate processing methods, but a turkey with this sticker isn’t necessarily superior in quality. The USDA also offers optional grading services: about 70% of inspected turkeys are graded. Grading scales (A, B, or C) reflect the turkey’s quality, with Grade A signifying premium quality.
How Do You Check if a Turkey is Properly Cooked?
Rather than pricking the leg to check for bleeding as often misadvised, it’s advisable to bake the turkey at 325 degrees. Position the wings behind the neck to minimize burning, and insert an oven-safe thermometer in the lower thigh area, avoiding contact with the bone, or place it in the center of the stuffing. Temperatures of 180 degrees in the thigh and 165 degrees in the breast or stuffing indicate that the turkey is cooked perfectly.
Author Bio
The information in this article is provided by Dr. Judith Rodriguez, a registered dietitian and chair of the Department of Nutrition & Dietetics at the University of North Florida.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the 5 domains that make up integrative medicine (IM)?
The five domains that make up integrative medicine are mind-body (nutrition, social determinants), lifestyle, and prevention. These five areas cover all aspects of health care including spiritual, physical, and environmental well being.
Integrative medicine provides a comprehensive approach to the treatment of disease, health, and well-being. It can include conventional medical treatments, as well as complementary therapies, such as acupuncture or yoga, meditation, massage therapy and herbal medicine.
What is Alternative Medicine?
It’s a method of healing that focuses more on prevention than treatment. It encourages consumers to become educated and active in improving their well-being.
Alternative medicine refers to any system of diagnosis and treatment that does not employ allopathic (conventional) medical practices.
What is a holistic medicine doctor?
A holistic medicine doctor treats patients holistically. They might combine western medicine and traditional methods, such as acupuncture and herbs.
They seek to treat an illness and not just symptoms. The patient should feel better upon completion of treatment.
The doctor should not only treat the disease, but also prevent it from happening again.
The term “holistic” refers to considering all aspects of one’s life.
Statistics
- category.[111]Edzard Ernst characterized the evidence for many alternative techniques as weak, nonexistent, or negative and in 2011, published his estimate that about 7.4% were based on “sound evidence.” However, he believes that may be an overestimate. (en.wikipedia.org)
- An assessment of conventional treatments found that 41.3% concluded positive or possibly positive effects, 20% concluded no effect, 8.1% concluded net harmful effects, and 21.3% concluded insufficient evidence. (en.wikipedia.org)
- According to the World Health Organization, 80% of people use herbal medicine worldwide. (webmd.com)
- These studies found that 38.4% concluded positive or possibly positive effects for CAM (12.4%), 4.8% concluded no effect, 0.7% concluded harmful effects, and 56.6% concluded insufficient evidence. (en.wikipedia.org)
- The concept of regression toward the mean implies that an extreme result is more likely to be followed by a less extreme result. (en.wikipedia.org)
External Links
webmd.com
cam.cancer.gov
doi.org
ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- BIOFEEDBACK TRAINING and TENSION-TYPE HeADACHE – PubMed
- PubMed: Randomized controlled trial examining the effects of foot reflexology on hospital anxiety and depression in female older adults.
How To
How to pursue a career in Holistic Medicine
The field holistic medicine is expanding at an unimaginable rate. This career path can be pursued in many different ways. Returning to school is the best way to go if you’re looking to make a career out of this.
Many schools offer programs in holistic medicine. One of these schools is the National College for Complementary Medicines, which offers both undergraduate degrees and postgraduate programs. A number of programs are offered specifically for medical professionals interested in entering the field.
Many online universities also offer holistic health classes. The Institute of Integrative Nutrition, (IIN), is one example of such an online program. The institute provides students with a range of holistic health education tools.
Another option is to enroll in a traditional four-year college. Many colleges offer holistic health courses. The University of California, for example, offers a Bachelor’s degree in holistic health sciences.
If you’re interested in a career in holistic medical, it is worth taking a nutrition class. NCCM recommends that all students take nutrition courses before embarking on professional training. According to them, integrative medicine practitioners need to have a solid understanding of nutrition science.
Holistic medicine is more holistic than traditional medicine because it focuses on the whole person and not just symptoms. It requires more skill and knowledge. Because of this, those interested in holistic medicine need to understand how to evaluate different types of illness from a nutritional perspective.
The NCCM reports that nutritionists often consult with doctors to provide nutritional advice to their patients. Some will even suggest supplements or diets based on the patient’s specific condition.
This is why holistic practitioners must understand the basics of nutrition. This includes understanding what foods are healthy and which ones are not. This includes identifying nutritional deficiencies and other problems that could be causing them.
It is important for holistic practitioners to realize that not all specialize in nutrition. Some focus mainly on herbal treatments, while others concentrate solely on acupuncture. Some people combine these two approaches into a single treatment.
Most holistic practitioners advocate a healthy diet that includes fruits, vegetables and nuts. They encourage eating plenty of seafood and fish. They suggest avoiding processed foods and fast food restaurants. Instead, they encourage people to eat organic produce whenever possible.
A balanced diet is a key factor in preventing disease, which holistic practitioners all agree on. There are however some things they disagree on. For instance, they don’t believe that gluten causes celiac disease. Instead, they believe that a lack in nutrients is responsible for the disorder’s onset.
However, they agree that allergic reactions can be triggered by certain foods. For example, they say that shellfish and peanuts cause anaphylaxis. They also caution against excessive caffeine intake.
While many holistic practitioners use herbs to treat various illnesses, they avoid using pharmaceutical drugs. Because they believe that pharmaceutical drugs can only mask the problem, rather than solving it. This is why they prefer to rely upon natural remedies whenever possible.
Holistic practitioners often use a variety complementary therapies in addition to offering alternative treatments. These include:
- Acupuncture is a form of Chinese medicine that involves strategically placing needles in the skin. This is believed to stimulate the body’s healing mechanisms.
- Herbal therapy – Holistic practitioners often use herbs to treat a variety of disorders. Ginseng, a popular herb for this purpose, is one of the most common.
- Homeopathy – Another form of traditional Chinese medicine, homeopathy is based on the principle of like cures. Imagine that you have a similar symptom to someone who has the same ailment. In this case, you will need to search for a remedy which contains the same ingredients as the original substance.
- Massage therapy – Many holistic practitioners offer massage therapy to promote relaxation and reduce stress. It is also claimed to improve blood circulation, increase energy levels, and reduce muscle tension.
You should make sure that the practitioner you choose meets your needs. Look for someone who is trained in nutrition counseling if you are looking for someone who is certified in that area. A practitioner who has been certified by American Association of Oriental Medicine will also be able to teach you more about acupuncture.
Before you make any decisions regarding holistic healthcare, talk to your doctor. You may also wish to check with your insurance provider to know what services are covered.
–
——————————————————————————————————————————————
This blog is a source of general information and discussion on health and related topics. Information and materials on this blog, on the website, or in any of the connected materials are not intended to replace or used as a substitute for the advice of a medical professional, diagnosis, or treatment. This blog does not represent the application of any nursing, medical or other health professional advice or diagnosis. We are unable to diagnose health conditions, offer second opinions or provide specific treatment recommendations via this blog or on our website.
If you or another person is suffering from a medical issue and you are concerned, consult your doctor or seek out other medical professional treatment as soon as possible. Do not disregard medical advice from a professional or delay seeking it due to information you seen on the blog or website or in any of the linked materials. If you’re experiencing an emergency medical situation, dial 911 or seek emergency medical assistance on the closest phone immediately.
——————————————————————————————————————————————
By: Dick Benson
Title: Unraveling Misconceptions About Turkey: The Celebrated Holiday Bird
Sourced From: alternativemedicine.com/nutrition/busting-myths-turkey/
Published Date: Sat, 07 Oct 2023 21:57:20 +0000
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the 5 domains that make up integrative medicine (IM)?
The five domains that make up integrative medicine are mind-body (nutrition, social determinants), lifestyle, and prevention. These five areas cover all aspects of health care including spiritual, physical, and environmental well being.
Integrative medicine provides a comprehensive approach to the treatment of disease, health, and well-being. It can include conventional medical treatments, as well as complementary therapies, such as acupuncture or yoga, meditation, massage therapy and herbal medicine.
What is Alternative Medicine?
It’s a method of healing that focuses more on prevention than treatment. It encourages consumers to become educated and active in improving their well-being.
Alternative medicine refers to any system of diagnosis and treatment that does not employ allopathic (conventional) medical practices.
What is a holistic medicine doctor?
A holistic medicine doctor treats patients holistically. They might combine western medicine and traditional methods, such as acupuncture and herbs.
They seek to treat an illness and not just symptoms. The patient should feel better upon completion of treatment.
The doctor should not only treat the disease, but also prevent it from happening again.
The term “holistic” refers to considering all aspects of one’s life.
Statistics
- category.[111]Edzard Ernst characterized the evidence for many alternative techniques as weak, nonexistent, or negative and in 2011, published his estimate that about 7.4% were based on “sound evidence.” However, he believes that may be an overestimate. (en.wikipedia.org)
- An assessment of conventional treatments found that 41.3% concluded positive or possibly positive effects, 20% concluded no effect, 8.1% concluded net harmful effects, and 21.3% concluded insufficient evidence. (en.wikipedia.org)
- According to the World Health Organization, 80% of people use herbal medicine worldwide. (webmd.com)
- These studies found that 38.4% concluded positive or possibly positive effects for CAM (12.4%), 4.8% concluded no effect, 0.7% concluded harmful effects, and 56.6% concluded insufficient evidence. (en.wikipedia.org)
- The concept of regression toward the mean implies that an extreme result is more likely to be followed by a less extreme result. (en.wikipedia.org)
External Links
webmd.com
cam.cancer.gov
doi.org
ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- BIOFEEDBACK TRAINING and TENSION-TYPE HeADACHE – PubMed
- PubMed: Randomized controlled trial examining the effects of foot reflexology on hospital anxiety and depression in female older adults.
How To
How to pursue a career in Holistic Medicine
The field holistic medicine is expanding at an unimaginable rate. This career path can be pursued in many different ways. Returning to school is the best way to go if you’re looking to make a career out of this.
Many schools offer programs in holistic medicine. One of these schools is the National College for Complementary Medicines, which offers both undergraduate degrees and postgraduate programs. A number of programs are offered specifically for medical professionals interested in entering the field.
Many online universities also offer holistic health classes. The Institute of Integrative Nutrition, (IIN), is one example of such an online program. The institute provides students with a range of holistic health education tools.
Another option is to enroll in a traditional four-year college. Many colleges offer holistic health courses. The University of California, for example, offers a Bachelor’s degree in holistic health sciences.
If you’re interested in a career in holistic medical, it is worth taking a nutrition class. NCCM recommends that all students take nutrition courses before embarking on professional training. According to them, integrative medicine practitioners need to have a solid understanding of nutrition science.
Holistic medicine is more holistic than traditional medicine because it focuses on the whole person and not just symptoms. It requires more skill and knowledge. Because of this, those interested in holistic medicine need to understand how to evaluate different types of illness from a nutritional perspective.
The NCCM reports that nutritionists often consult with doctors to provide nutritional advice to their patients. Some will even suggest supplements or diets based on the patient’s specific condition.
This is why holistic practitioners must understand the basics of nutrition. This includes understanding what foods are healthy and which ones are not. This includes identifying nutritional deficiencies and other problems that could be causing them.
It is important for holistic practitioners to realize that not all specialize in nutrition. Some focus mainly on herbal treatments, while others concentrate solely on acupuncture. Some people combine these two approaches into a single treatment.
Most holistic practitioners advocate a healthy diet that includes fruits, vegetables and nuts. They encourage eating plenty of seafood and fish. They suggest avoiding processed foods and fast food restaurants. Instead, they encourage people to eat organic produce whenever possible.
A balanced diet is a key factor in preventing disease, which holistic practitioners all agree on. There are however some things they disagree on. For instance, they don’t believe that gluten causes celiac disease. Instead, they believe that a lack in nutrients is responsible for the disorder’s onset.
However, they agree that allergic reactions can be triggered by certain foods. For example, they say that shellfish and peanuts cause anaphylaxis. They also caution against excessive caffeine intake.
While many holistic practitioners use herbs to treat various illnesses, they avoid using pharmaceutical drugs. Because they believe that pharmaceutical drugs can only mask the problem, rather than solving it. This is why they prefer to rely upon natural remedies whenever possible.
Holistic practitioners often use a variety complementary therapies in addition to offering alternative treatments. These include:
- Acupuncture is a form of Chinese medicine that involves strategically placing needles in the skin. This is believed to stimulate the body’s healing mechanisms.
- Herbal therapy – Holistic practitioners often use herbs to treat a variety of disorders. Ginseng, a popular herb for this purpose, is one of the most common.
- Homeopathy – Another form of traditional Chinese medicine, homeopathy is based on the principle of like cures. Imagine that you have a similar symptom to someone who has the same ailment. In this case, you will need to search for a remedy which contains the same ingredients as the original substance.
- Massage therapy – Many holistic practitioners offer massage therapy to promote relaxation and reduce stress. It is also claimed to improve blood circulation, increase energy levels, and reduce muscle tension.
You should make sure that the practitioner you choose meets your needs. Look for someone who is trained in nutrition counseling if you are looking for someone who is certified in that area. A practitioner who has been certified by American Association of Oriental Medicine will also be able to teach you more about acupuncture.
Before you make any decisions regarding holistic healthcare, talk to your doctor. You may also wish to check with your insurance provider to know what services are covered.
Leave a Reply