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Michael Roizen and Mehmet Oz, considered by many to be "America's favorite physicians," work together to bring their tips for a healthy ...

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The Seeds You Need

By Michael Roizen, M.D., and Mehmet Oz, M.D.

Sesame seeds have powers far beyond bringing flavor and texture to your seared tuna -- or wedging themselves between your teeth. They help drive down your lousy LDL cholesterol and may play a role in blocking cancer.

You know how the fake fat called olestra keeps real fat from being absorbed by sliding it right through your intestines? (Sometimes too well, as people who haven't heeded the "wear dark pants" mantra have discovered.) Well, sesame seeds help lower LDL cholesterol in a somewhat similar way -- by keeping your intestines from absorbing the stuff -- but without any unpleasant side effects. In fact, quite the opposite: Sesame seeds also contain lignans, powerful antioxidants that might be cancer deterrents.

To get the anticholesterol effects, include sesame in your daily diet. Sprinkle the seeds liberally over steamed veggies, toss them into salads, add them to a stir-fry and try them with yogurt and fruit. Enough with the seeds? Sesame oil's an option, too --keep it in a mister and spritz it on whole grains for a light, nutty flavor, or use it as dip for whole-wheat bread.

Then there's tahini, the delicious sesame-seed paste sold in the ethnic-food section of more and more supermarkets. Use it as a dip for fresh veggies, a spread for pita bread or a secret ingredient -- it adds a whole new dimension to salad dressings, pasta dishes, rice and noodles. And it's great combined with hummus (pureed chickpeas). Your arteries -- and that means your skin, heart, head and sex organs -- will all function better because you chose sesame.

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The YOU Docs -- Mike Roizen and Mehmet Oz -- are authors of the best-selling "YOU: The Owner's Manual" and "YOU: On a Diet." To submit questions and find ways to grow younger and healthier, go to www.RealAge.com, the docs' online home. (c) 2008 Michael Roizen, M.D. and Mehmet Oz, M.D. Distributed by King Features Syndicate, Inc.

This news arrived on: 07/16/2008

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