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Can Muffins Prevent Gallstones?
Gallstones -- those pesky, painful pebbles that plague some people's gallbladders -- are no fun. But could a muffin keep you feeling fine?
Maybe. If it's an oat-bran muffin. Studies show that a diet high in magnesium-rich foods may reduce the risk of gallstones. Oat-bran muffins fit the bill.
The Moderate Muffin
One medium oat-bran muffin will serve up anywhere from 50 to 90 milligrams of magnesium, depending on ingredients. Just don't go eating so many muffins that you turn into one yourself. One of the biggest risk factors for gallstones is extra weight. And you'll want a muffin recipe that doesn't go overboard on fat and cholesterol -- a diet high in either has been linked to gallstones, too. Here's a lovely, moist, low-fat muffin recipe that uses oat bran: Spiced Apple Butter Bran Muffins.
Magnificent Magnesium
Why magnesium? Without enough of the mineral, triglycerides can soar and HDL levels can drop -- a combo that's linked to cholesterol-packed gallstones. Just about any whole-grain food will boost your magnesium intake better than white-flour products, so check labels closely and make the swap. Here's what to look for.
RealAge Benefit:
Adequate magnesium intake (400 milligrams per day for women, 333 milligrams per day for men) can make your RealAge as much as 0.9 years younger.
