Wednesday, November 11, 2015
Monday, November 09, 2015
Thursday, November 05, 2015
Potatoes, tomatoes, and lettuce make up close to 60 percent of U.S. vegetable and legume availability
http://www.ers.usda.gov/data-products/chart-gallery/detail.aspx?chartId=53769&ref=collection&embed=True&widgetId=37373
When consumers are advised in the produce aisle that “More Matters,” they are not just being encouraged to eat a greater quantity of fruits and vegetables, but more variety as well. Restricting one’s diet to a limited set of vegetables precludes the desired variety that would supply more diverse, healthful nutrients. According to ERS’s Food Availability data, just three vegetables—white potatoes, tomatoes, and lettuce—accounted for 59 percent of the vegetables and legumes that were available for consumption in 2013. White potatoes accounted for 30 percent of the 384.4 pounds per person of vegetables and legumes available in 2013. Tomatoes had a 22-percent share, with 20.2 pounds per person of fresh tomatoes and 65.9 pounds per person of processed tomatoes. Fresh lettuce (head lettuce, romaine, and leaf lettuce) rounded out the top 3 vegetables at 25.5 pounds per person—7 percent of 2013’s total vegetable and legume availability. This chart appears in “Potatoes and Tomatoes Account for Over Half of U.S. Vegetable Availability” in the September 2015 issue of ERS’s Amber Waves magazine.
When consumers are advised in the produce aisle that “More Matters,” they are not just being encouraged to eat a greater quantity of fruits and vegetables, but more variety as well. Restricting one’s diet to a limited set of vegetables precludes the desired variety that would supply more diverse, healthful nutrients. According to ERS’s Food Availability data, just three vegetables—white potatoes, tomatoes, and lettuce—accounted for 59 percent of the vegetables and legumes that were available for consumption in 2013. White potatoes accounted for 30 percent of the 384.4 pounds per person of vegetables and legumes available in 2013. Tomatoes had a 22-percent share, with 20.2 pounds per person of fresh tomatoes and 65.9 pounds per person of processed tomatoes. Fresh lettuce (head lettuce, romaine, and leaf lettuce) rounded out the top 3 vegetables at 25.5 pounds per person—7 percent of 2013’s total vegetable and legume availability. This chart appears in “Potatoes and Tomatoes Account for Over Half of U.S. Vegetable Availability” in the September 2015 issue of ERS’s Amber Waves magazine.
Tuesday, November 03, 2015
Monday, November 02, 2015
Friday, October 30, 2015
Tuesday, October 27, 2015
Monday, October 26, 2015
Tuesday, October 20, 2015
Thursday, October 15, 2015
Long-term use of reflux medications: Doc's perspective
The only part we do not agree with is about Tums and Rolaids. They do block vitamin and mineral absorption.
http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2015/10/15/ask-well-taking-heartburn-drugs-long-term/?ref=health&_r=0
http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2015/10/15/ask-well-taking-heartburn-drugs-long-term/?ref=health&_r=0
Wednesday, October 14, 2015
Tuesday, October 13, 2015
Monday, October 12, 2015
Friday, October 09, 2015
Thursday, October 08, 2015
Wednesday, October 07, 2015
Tuesday, October 06, 2015
Monday, October 05, 2015
Wednesday, September 30, 2015
BMJ calcium study: our thoughts
Bonnie and Steve: While many of you have experienced media sensationalism over a supplement study before, others may have not. So once again, we will try to explain the correct position on calcium.
This week, BMJ published a meta-analysis with the conclusion: "Increasing calcium intake from dietary sources or by taking calcium supplements produces small non-progressive increases in BMD, which are unlikely to lead to a clinically significant reduction in risk of fracture." This is not the first negative study BMJ has published about calcium, and it will not be the last.
Of course, the media picked up on the authors' suggestion that excess calcium can cause kidney stones, heart attacks, and scared the heck out of everyone.
True
Too much malabsorbed calcium can cause kidney stones and calcification in the arteries, including those in the heart. However, too little calcium has also been implicated in increased death risk. It is all about the calcium source, the amount, and if it is accompanied by vitamin D and magnesium.
False
The concluding statement that "unlikely to lead to clinically significant reduction in risk of fracture". The authors state that on average, an individual over 50 can get a 5-10% reduction in fracture risk from extra dietary and supplemental calcium. In the medical world, this is clinically significant.
True
Total calcium recommendations by the medical community and the Institute of Medicine are too high. We have been fighting these calcium recommendations for years.
Observations
You and I could look at all the calcium data over time and pick the studies we want to use to steer it to our desired outcome. This is called a meta-analysis. We are very wary of these authors because they discuss better effectiveness with bone resorptive drugs without mentioning the severe side effects that come with them. The authors failed to mention that bone resorptive drugs should never be taken for more than five years because they have minimal effectiveness past five years and troubling side effects.
Missing In Action
As with just about every study ever done on calcium, while these authors did include a few with vitamin D, magnesium was never considered. Why have there never been any major studies, even meta-analyses on bone fracture prevention for subjects taking calcium, vitamin D, AND magnesium? We do not know. However, any nutritional expert will tell you that the effectiveness of calcium is dependent upon not only vitamin D, but magnesium.
For example, magnesium blocks entry of calcium into brain neurons until the appropriate moment to avoid ion imbalance. Not enough magnesium allows calcium to enter our neurons willy-nilly, causing them to misfire and act erratically.
Inadequate magnesium intake depletes the extracellular magnesium ion and consequently leads to the activation of inflammatory macrophages and influx of calcium ions into cells. The increased calcium level in the cells causes whatever magnesium is still there to try to block the influx of calcium ion, which leads to more inflammation.
Conclusion
The worst that can come of this media storm is that people will stop taking calcium supplementally or lower their dietary intake. This would be a huge mistake. Numerous studies have shown that taking too little calcium can be more detrimental than taking too much. Even the new Dietary Guidelines for Americans admit that most do not get enough calcium from their diet.
As we have always said, nutrient intakes should always be based upon individual needs. However, the range of total calcium that we recommend to our clients are as follows:
Total
Women: 800-1200 mg.
Men: 800 mg.
Kids 1-10 years: 800 mg.
Kids 11-18 years: 1000 mg.
Supplemental
Women: 500-600 mg.
Men: 500 mg.
Kids: health professional recommendation
This week, BMJ published a meta-analysis with the conclusion: "Increasing calcium intake from dietary sources or by taking calcium supplements produces small non-progressive increases in BMD, which are unlikely to lead to a clinically significant reduction in risk of fracture." This is not the first negative study BMJ has published about calcium, and it will not be the last.
Of course, the media picked up on the authors' suggestion that excess calcium can cause kidney stones, heart attacks, and scared the heck out of everyone.
True
Too much malabsorbed calcium can cause kidney stones and calcification in the arteries, including those in the heart. However, too little calcium has also been implicated in increased death risk. It is all about the calcium source, the amount, and if it is accompanied by vitamin D and magnesium.
False
The concluding statement that "unlikely to lead to clinically significant reduction in risk of fracture". The authors state that on average, an individual over 50 can get a 5-10% reduction in fracture risk from extra dietary and supplemental calcium. In the medical world, this is clinically significant.
True
Total calcium recommendations by the medical community and the Institute of Medicine are too high. We have been fighting these calcium recommendations for years.
Observations
You and I could look at all the calcium data over time and pick the studies we want to use to steer it to our desired outcome. This is called a meta-analysis. We are very wary of these authors because they discuss better effectiveness with bone resorptive drugs without mentioning the severe side effects that come with them. The authors failed to mention that bone resorptive drugs should never be taken for more than five years because they have minimal effectiveness past five years and troubling side effects.
Missing In Action
As with just about every study ever done on calcium, while these authors did include a few with vitamin D, magnesium was never considered. Why have there never been any major studies, even meta-analyses on bone fracture prevention for subjects taking calcium, vitamin D, AND magnesium? We do not know. However, any nutritional expert will tell you that the effectiveness of calcium is dependent upon not only vitamin D, but magnesium.
For example, magnesium blocks entry of calcium into brain neurons until the appropriate moment to avoid ion imbalance. Not enough magnesium allows calcium to enter our neurons willy-nilly, causing them to misfire and act erratically.
Inadequate magnesium intake depletes the extracellular magnesium ion and consequently leads to the activation of inflammatory macrophages and influx of calcium ions into cells. The increased calcium level in the cells causes whatever magnesium is still there to try to block the influx of calcium ion, which leads to more inflammation.
Conclusion
The worst that can come of this media storm is that people will stop taking calcium supplementally or lower their dietary intake. This would be a huge mistake. Numerous studies have shown that taking too little calcium can be more detrimental than taking too much. Even the new Dietary Guidelines for Americans admit that most do not get enough calcium from their diet.
As we have always said, nutrient intakes should always be based upon individual needs. However, the range of total calcium that we recommend to our clients are as follows:
Total
Women: 800-1200 mg.
Men: 800 mg.
Kids 1-10 years: 800 mg.
Kids 11-18 years: 1000 mg.
Supplemental
Women: 500-600 mg.
Men: 500 mg.
Kids: health professional recommendation
Tuesday, September 29, 2015
Monday, September 28, 2015
Thursday, September 24, 2015
Tuesday, September 22, 2015
Thursday, September 17, 2015
Monday, September 14, 2015
Thursday, September 10, 2015
Artificial sweeteners found in breast milk
Nonnutritive Sweeteners in Breast Milk.
Sylvetsky AC1, Gardner AL, Bauman V, Blau JE, Martin Garraffo H, Walter PJ, Rother KI.
Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health A. 2015 Aug 12:1-4.
Abstract
Nonnutritive sweeteners (NNS), including saccharin, sucralose, aspartame, and acesulfame-potassium, are commonly consumed in the general population, and all except for saccharin are considered safe for use during pregnancy and lactation. Sucralose (Splenda) currently holds the majority of the NNS market share and is often combined with acesulfame-potassium in a wide variety of foods and beverages. To date, saccharin is the only NNS reported to be found in human breast milk after maternal consumption, while there is no apparent information on the other NNS. Breast milk samples were collected from 20 lactating volunteers, irrespective of their habitual NNS intake. Saccharin, sucralose, and acesulfame-potassium were present in 65% of participants' milk samples, whereas aspartame was not detected. These data indicate that NNS are frequently ingested by nursing infants, and thus prospective clinical studies are necessary to determine whether early NNS exposure via breast milk may have clinical implications.
Sylvetsky AC1, Gardner AL, Bauman V, Blau JE, Martin Garraffo H, Walter PJ, Rother KI.
Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health A. 2015 Aug 12:1-4.
Abstract
Nonnutritive sweeteners (NNS), including saccharin, sucralose, aspartame, and acesulfame-potassium, are commonly consumed in the general population, and all except for saccharin are considered safe for use during pregnancy and lactation. Sucralose (Splenda) currently holds the majority of the NNS market share and is often combined with acesulfame-potassium in a wide variety of foods and beverages. To date, saccharin is the only NNS reported to be found in human breast milk after maternal consumption, while there is no apparent information on the other NNS. Breast milk samples were collected from 20 lactating volunteers, irrespective of their habitual NNS intake. Saccharin, sucralose, and acesulfame-potassium were present in 65% of participants' milk samples, whereas aspartame was not detected. These data indicate that NNS are frequently ingested by nursing infants, and thus prospective clinical studies are necessary to determine whether early NNS exposure via breast milk may have clinical implications.
Wednesday, September 09, 2015
Thursday, September 03, 2015
Tuesday, September 01, 2015
Wednesday, August 26, 2015
Tuesday, August 25, 2015
Thursday, August 20, 2015
My Kind of Cravings Buster!
Playing Tetris for as little as three minutes at a time can weaken cravings for drugs, food and activities such as sex and sleeping by approximately one fifth, according to new research.
In the first test of its kind to study people in natural settings outside of a laboratory, participants were monitored for levels of craving and prompted to play the block-shifting puzzle game at random intervals during the day.
Psychologists from Plymouth University and Queensland University of Technology, Australia, found that playing Tetris interfered with desires not only for food, but also for drugs, including cigarettes, alcohol and coffee, and other activities. The benefits of playing Tetris were maintained over the seven-day study period.
In a report published in the international journal Addictive Behaviors, the authors say playing the game could help people to manage their cravings, and they have recommended further research, including testing people dependent on drugs.
Professor Jackie Andrade, from the School of Psychology and the Cognition Institute at Plymouth University, said: "Playing Tetris decreased craving strength for drugs, food, and activities from 70% to 56%. This is the first demonstration that cognitive interference can be used outside the lab to reduce cravings for substances and activities other than eating.
"We think the Tetris effect happens because craving involves imagining the experience of consuming a particular substance or indulging in a particular activity. Playing a visually interesting game like Tetris occupies the mental processes that support that imagery; it is hard to imagine something vividly and play Tetris at the same time."
During the experiment, 31 undergraduates, aged 18-27, were prompted seven times a day via text message to report on any cravings they were feeling. They were also encouraged to report cravings proactively, independently of the prompts. Fifteen members of the group were required to play Tetris on an iPod for three minutes, before reporting their craving levels again.
Craving was recorded in 30% of occasions, most commonly for food and non-alcoholic drinks, which were reported on nearly two-thirds of those occasions. Twenty-one percent of cravings were for substances categorised as drugs, including coffee, cigarettes, wine and beer, and 16% were for miscellaneous activities such as sleeping, playing videogames, socialising with friends, and sexual intercourse. Food cravings tended to be slightly weaker than those in the other categories.
"The impact of Tetris on craving was consistent across the week and on all craving types," said Professor Jon May, also of Plymouth University. "People played the game 40 times on average but the effect did not seem to wear off. This finding is potentially important because an intervention that worked solely because it was novel and unusual would have diminishing benefits over time as participants became familiar with it."
"As a support tool, Tetris could help people manage their cravings in their daily lives and over extended time periods," added Professor Andrade.
Story Source:
The above post is reprinted from materials provided by University of Plymouth.
Journal Reference:
Jessica Skorka-Brown, Jackie Andrade, Ben Whalley, Jon May. Playing Tetris decreases drug and other cravings in real world settings. Addictive Behaviors, 2015; 51: 165 DOI: 10.1016/j.addbeh.2015.07.020
In the first test of its kind to study people in natural settings outside of a laboratory, participants were monitored for levels of craving and prompted to play the block-shifting puzzle game at random intervals during the day.
Psychologists from Plymouth University and Queensland University of Technology, Australia, found that playing Tetris interfered with desires not only for food, but also for drugs, including cigarettes, alcohol and coffee, and other activities. The benefits of playing Tetris were maintained over the seven-day study period.
In a report published in the international journal Addictive Behaviors, the authors say playing the game could help people to manage their cravings, and they have recommended further research, including testing people dependent on drugs.
Professor Jackie Andrade, from the School of Psychology and the Cognition Institute at Plymouth University, said: "Playing Tetris decreased craving strength for drugs, food, and activities from 70% to 56%. This is the first demonstration that cognitive interference can be used outside the lab to reduce cravings for substances and activities other than eating.
"We think the Tetris effect happens because craving involves imagining the experience of consuming a particular substance or indulging in a particular activity. Playing a visually interesting game like Tetris occupies the mental processes that support that imagery; it is hard to imagine something vividly and play Tetris at the same time."
During the experiment, 31 undergraduates, aged 18-27, were prompted seven times a day via text message to report on any cravings they were feeling. They were also encouraged to report cravings proactively, independently of the prompts. Fifteen members of the group were required to play Tetris on an iPod for three minutes, before reporting their craving levels again.
Craving was recorded in 30% of occasions, most commonly for food and non-alcoholic drinks, which were reported on nearly two-thirds of those occasions. Twenty-one percent of cravings were for substances categorised as drugs, including coffee, cigarettes, wine and beer, and 16% were for miscellaneous activities such as sleeping, playing videogames, socialising with friends, and sexual intercourse. Food cravings tended to be slightly weaker than those in the other categories.
"The impact of Tetris on craving was consistent across the week and on all craving types," said Professor Jon May, also of Plymouth University. "People played the game 40 times on average but the effect did not seem to wear off. This finding is potentially important because an intervention that worked solely because it was novel and unusual would have diminishing benefits over time as participants became familiar with it."
"As a support tool, Tetris could help people manage their cravings in their daily lives and over extended time periods," added Professor Andrade.
Story Source:
The above post is reprinted from materials provided by University of Plymouth.
Journal Reference:
Jessica Skorka-Brown, Jackie Andrade, Ben Whalley, Jon May. Playing Tetris decreases drug and other cravings in real world settings. Addictive Behaviors, 2015; 51: 165 DOI: 10.1016/j.addbeh.2015.07.020
Wednesday, August 19, 2015
Tuesday, August 18, 2015
Friday, August 14, 2015
Thursday, August 13, 2015
Wednesday, August 12, 2015
FODMAP disappoints
There is very little evidence to recommend avoiding certain types of dietary carbohydrate, known as the FODMAP diet, to ease the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome, or IBS for short, concludes a review of the available data in Drug and Therapeutics Bulletin (dtb).
IBS is characterized by abdominal pain/discomfort and altered bowel frequency in the absence of any obvious gut abnormalities. Symptoms can include abdominal bloating, which eating can worsen.
Up to one in five of the population is thought to be affected, with women twice as likely to develop IBS symptoms as men.
Treatment options include dietary and lifestyle advice, psychotherapy, and drugs to curb painful spasms and associated diarrhea and/or constipation.
Dietary advice usually includes the recommendation to reduce intake of insoluble fibre, limit fresh fruit to three portions a day, take regular meals, avoid rushing food or eating on the go, and to steer clear of the artificial sweetener sorbitol.
The low FODMAP diet, which was developed in Australia, is based on the observation that certain types of short chain carbs are poorly absorbed by the small intestine and that IBS symptoms worsen when these are eaten.
These short chain carbs are present in wheat, onions, and legumes; milk; honey, apples, and high fructose corn syrup; and the artificial sweeteners used in confectionery (sorbitol and mannitol). They are rapidly fermented in the gut, increasing water volume and gases.
After assessing the available published evidence and the three UK guidelines on the management of IBS, dtb says that all the trials provide some evidence that patients feel the diet reduces some of the symptoms.
And one study indicates that the diet changes the profile of the bacteria in the gut, although what the clinical implications of this are, or, indeed, what the long term effects might be, are unclear, says dtb.
But data to back the use of a low FODMAP diet as an effective treatment to control symptoms "is based on a few relatively small, short term unblinded or single blinded controlled trials of varying duration," it cautions.
And dietary manipulation is not without its drawbacks as some people fail to maintain a balanced diet when trying dietary exclusions, says dtb.
While some guidelines suggest that a low FODMAP diet might be appropriate for motivated patients for whom other treatments have failed to relieve symptoms, this should only be done under the supervision of a dietitian with specialist expertise in this type of dietary intervention, it recommends.
And it concludes: "However, we believe that patients should be advised that there is very limited evidence for its use, the ideal duration of treatment has not been assessed in a clinical trial, and its place in the management of IBS has not been fully established."
Story Source:
The above post is reprinted from materials provided by BMJ. Note: Materials may be edited for content and length.
Journal Reference:
Does a low FODMAP diet help IBS? Drug and Therapeutics Bulletin, August 2015 DOI: 10.1136/dtb.2015.8.0346
IBS is characterized by abdominal pain/discomfort and altered bowel frequency in the absence of any obvious gut abnormalities. Symptoms can include abdominal bloating, which eating can worsen.
Up to one in five of the population is thought to be affected, with women twice as likely to develop IBS symptoms as men.
Treatment options include dietary and lifestyle advice, psychotherapy, and drugs to curb painful spasms and associated diarrhea and/or constipation.
Dietary advice usually includes the recommendation to reduce intake of insoluble fibre, limit fresh fruit to three portions a day, take regular meals, avoid rushing food or eating on the go, and to steer clear of the artificial sweetener sorbitol.
The low FODMAP diet, which was developed in Australia, is based on the observation that certain types of short chain carbs are poorly absorbed by the small intestine and that IBS symptoms worsen when these are eaten.
These short chain carbs are present in wheat, onions, and legumes; milk; honey, apples, and high fructose corn syrup; and the artificial sweeteners used in confectionery (sorbitol and mannitol). They are rapidly fermented in the gut, increasing water volume and gases.
After assessing the available published evidence and the three UK guidelines on the management of IBS, dtb says that all the trials provide some evidence that patients feel the diet reduces some of the symptoms.
And one study indicates that the diet changes the profile of the bacteria in the gut, although what the clinical implications of this are, or, indeed, what the long term effects might be, are unclear, says dtb.
But data to back the use of a low FODMAP diet as an effective treatment to control symptoms "is based on a few relatively small, short term unblinded or single blinded controlled trials of varying duration," it cautions.
And dietary manipulation is not without its drawbacks as some people fail to maintain a balanced diet when trying dietary exclusions, says dtb.
While some guidelines suggest that a low FODMAP diet might be appropriate for motivated patients for whom other treatments have failed to relieve symptoms, this should only be done under the supervision of a dietitian with specialist expertise in this type of dietary intervention, it recommends.
And it concludes: "However, we believe that patients should be advised that there is very limited evidence for its use, the ideal duration of treatment has not been assessed in a clinical trial, and its place in the management of IBS has not been fully established."
Story Source:
The above post is reprinted from materials provided by BMJ. Note: Materials may be edited for content and length.
Journal Reference:
Does a low FODMAP diet help IBS? Drug and Therapeutics Bulletin, August 2015 DOI: 10.1136/dtb.2015.8.0346
Monday, August 10, 2015
Friday, August 07, 2015
Thursday, August 06, 2015
Wednesday, August 05, 2015
Wednesday, July 29, 2015
Tuesday, July 28, 2015
Monday, July 27, 2015
Thursday, July 23, 2015
Plants benefit from probiotics as well
Just as humans can benefit from the good bacteria of probiotics, plants can benefit from certain microbes. And that benefit is also good for the environment.
In plants, beneficial bacteria and fungi are endophytes. Scientists have known for decades that plants like legumes (peas, beans, and lentils) have beneficial bacteria in nodules attached to their roots. These bacteria "fix" vital nitrogen, turning it into a form the plant can easily use. However, researchers in Crop Science have recently found some nitrogen-fixing bacteria actually live inside plant tissue--in the leaves, stems, and roots -- with impressive results.
Plants have a limited ability to genetically adapt to rapid environmental changes (heat, drought, toxins, or limited nutrients) and so they may use microbes that do have this capacity to rapidly evolve due to their vastly shorter life cycles. By having the right microbes for the conditions, the plants are healthier. That is how it is similar to humans taking probiotics to improve their health.
The next steps in this work have practical applications, including seed coating or spraying.
In plants, beneficial bacteria and fungi are endophytes. Scientists have known for decades that plants like legumes (peas, beans, and lentils) have beneficial bacteria in nodules attached to their roots. These bacteria "fix" vital nitrogen, turning it into a form the plant can easily use. However, researchers in Crop Science have recently found some nitrogen-fixing bacteria actually live inside plant tissue--in the leaves, stems, and roots -- with impressive results.
Plants have a limited ability to genetically adapt to rapid environmental changes (heat, drought, toxins, or limited nutrients) and so they may use microbes that do have this capacity to rapidly evolve due to their vastly shorter life cycles. By having the right microbes for the conditions, the plants are healthier. That is how it is similar to humans taking probiotics to improve their health.
The next steps in this work have practical applications, including seed coating or spraying.
Monday, July 20, 2015
Monday, July 13, 2015
Thursday, July 09, 2015
Wednesday, July 08, 2015
Saturday, July 04, 2015
Zinc Lozenges Greatly Reduce Cold Symptoms
According to a study in BMC Family Practice, high dose zinc acetate lozenges shortened the duration of common-cold.
The researchers believe that when zinc acetate lozenges dissolve in the mouth, zinc ions are released into the saliva of the pharyngeal region where the levels are consequently high. The high dose zinc acetate lozenges shortened the duration of nasal discharge by 34%, nasal congestion by 37%, sneezing by 22%, scratchy throat by 33%, sore throat by 18%, hoarseness by 43%, and cough by 46%. Furthermore, they found strong evidence that zinc lozenges also shortened the duration of muscle ache by 54%.
The researchers believe that when zinc acetate lozenges dissolve in the mouth, zinc ions are released into the saliva of the pharyngeal region where the levels are consequently high. The high dose zinc acetate lozenges shortened the duration of nasal discharge by 34%, nasal congestion by 37%, sneezing by 22%, scratchy throat by 33%, sore throat by 18%, hoarseness by 43%, and cough by 46%. Furthermore, they found strong evidence that zinc lozenges also shortened the duration of muscle ache by 54%.
Quercetin Strikes Again
Consumption of flavonoid-rich foods such as cocoa and tea may reduce cardiovascular disease risk. The flavonoids epicatechin (in cocoa and tea) and quercetin (in tea) probably play a role by reducing endothelial dysfunction and inflammation, two main determinants of atherosclerosis.
Researchers in a study from The Journal of Nutrition studied the effects of supplementation of pure epicatechin and quercetin on biomarkers of endothelial dysfunction and inflammation in healthy men and women.
Epicatechin contributed to the cardioprotective effects of cocoa and tea through improvements in endothelial function. Quercetin contributed to the cardioprotective effects of tea by improving endothelial function and reducing inflammation.
Researchers in a study from The Journal of Nutrition studied the effects of supplementation of pure epicatechin and quercetin on biomarkers of endothelial dysfunction and inflammation in healthy men and women.
Epicatechin contributed to the cardioprotective effects of cocoa and tea through improvements in endothelial function. Quercetin contributed to the cardioprotective effects of tea by improving endothelial function and reducing inflammation.
Cod Liver Oil in older persons
Steve: Cod liver oil is a traditional source of vitamin D in Iceland, and regular intake is recommended partly for the sake of health. A British Journal of Nutrition study discovered that intake of aged participants was positively associated with serum vitamin D3 25(OH)D levels. Individuals with intakes of less than once/week, one to six time(s)/week and daily intake had concentrations of approximately 40, 50 and 60 nmol/l respectively. This is awesome!
Thursday, June 25, 2015
Thursday, June 18, 2015
Get Ready for Spam Snacks and Other Hormel Treats
How About Jennie-O Turkey Breast Sticks?
Cannot find the ingredients anywhere on the web for these products. I wonder why?
Wednesday, June 17, 2015
GM cows to produce beef that make more omega-3s
Chinese scientists have successfully reared beef cattle rich in the beneficial omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA - which are traditionally associated with fish oils. Scientists introduced a gene known as fat1 into fetal cells from Luxi Yellow cattle. The gene, which was isolated from a nematode worm, codes for desaturase enzymes that are involved in the conversion of omega-6 to omega-3 fatty acids.
Writing in Biotechnology Letters, the team reveal that introducing the fat1 gene to cattle increased the levels of beneficial oils by over five times.
Steve: We are staying way away from this one until it is rigorously tested in human trials and is out on the market for several years.
Writing in Biotechnology Letters, the team reveal that introducing the fat1 gene to cattle increased the levels of beneficial oils by over five times.
Steve: We are staying way away from this one until it is rigorously tested in human trials and is out on the market for several years.
Tuesday, June 16, 2015
Wednesday, June 10, 2015
Big Food "Scrambling" Because of Egg Shortage
With the avian fly wiping out a significant portion of the chickens in the midwest, Big Food is looking for alternatives. One product they are turning to is Hampton Creek's Just Mix, which is a vegan egg substitute. Here's the issue: the ingredients for this product are not listed anywhere, even on the company's website. We have not gotten a response to our inquiry.
If you have severe allergies, make sure you ask any food preparers if they are using real eggs or egg substitutes. Also, look at labels of packaged food because the label you ae used to seeing may change in short order!
If you have severe allergies, make sure you ask any food preparers if they are using real eggs or egg substitutes. Also, look at labels of packaged food because the label you ae used to seeing may change in short order!
Friday, June 05, 2015
Tuesday, June 02, 2015
Thursday, May 28, 2015
Glucosamine/Chondoitin versus Cox-2 inhbitors
A randomized, double-blind, study in Annals of Rheumatic Disease found that patients randomized to receive either 400 mg chondroitin sulfate (CS) plus 500 mg glucosamine hydrochloride (GH) 3 times per day or 200 mg COX-2 selective inhibitor celecoxib (Celebrex) once a day for 6 months reported the same osteoarthritis index pain score (50% reduction). Of course, glucosamine and chondoitin is a much safe choice!
Infants Eating Junk
More than four out of 10 (43%) American infants aged 12-23 months eat cookies, cakes or pastries on any given day; almost a third (32%) eat chips, popcorn or pretzels; 19%eat candy; and 31%consume soda, fruit or sports drinks; according to dietary intake data collected by the USDA’s agricultural research service.
Jelly Belly Joins the Party
Everyone is seeming to get the idea now that better ingredients equal more satisfied customers. Taco Bell and Pizza Hut are removing artificial ingredients from their menus. Now, even the Jelly Belly Candy Company is launching a line of USDA certified organic candies, including fruit flavored snacks, gourmet jelly beans and other confections.
The organic fruit flavored snacks will launch in the fall and will be made with real fruit juice and puree and also will be gluten-free and vegetarian.
The organic fruit flavored snacks will launch in the fall and will be made with real fruit juice and puree and also will be gluten-free and vegetarian.
Thursday, May 21, 2015
Some Probiotics Taken for Celiac Disease Contain Gluten
http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2015/05/19/many-probiotics-taken-for-celiac-disease-contain-gluten/?ref=health&_r=0
Of the top 22 most popular probiotics on amazon.com, none were products we recommend.
Of the top 22 most popular probiotics on amazon.com, none were products we recommend.
Tuesday, May 19, 2015
Repeal of COOL Imminent?
How important is it for you to be able to read on a label where your meat, fish, and poultry come from? I know I look for it every single time. The World Trade Organization thinks our Country of Origin Labeling law (COOL) is unfair and is trying to sue the US to repeal it.
The Trans-Pacific Partnership agreement also has a clause that demands the repeal of COOL for the agreement to be ratified. However, 92% of Americans want the labeling to stay in place. Who's going to win: the consumer or Big Meat? Let your politicians know how you feel at this link.
The Trans-Pacific Partnership agreement also has a clause that demands the repeal of COOL for the agreement to be ratified. However, 92% of Americans want the labeling to stay in place. Who's going to win: the consumer or Big Meat? Let your politicians know how you feel at this link.
Thursday, May 14, 2015
Eating out may lead to high blood pressure
A recent study on university-going young adults is the first ever to show an association between meals eaten away from home and high blood pressure. These findings highlight lifestyle factors that can affect hypertension and emphasise the importance of being aware of the salt and calorie content in food, to facilitate better meal choices when eating out.
Pre-hypertension was found in 27.4% of the total subject population, and 38% ate more than 12 meals away from home per week; while the gender breakdown showed that pre-hypertension was more prevalent in men (49%) than in women (9%). Those who had pre-hypertension or hypertension were more likely to eat more meals away from home per week, have a higher mean body mass index, have lower mean physical activity levels, and be current smokers. What is also significant is that even eating one extra meal out, raised the odds of prehypertension by 6%. The study appeared in this month's American Journal of Hypertension.
Pre-hypertension was found in 27.4% of the total subject population, and 38% ate more than 12 meals away from home per week; while the gender breakdown showed that pre-hypertension was more prevalent in men (49%) than in women (9%). Those who had pre-hypertension or hypertension were more likely to eat more meals away from home per week, have a higher mean body mass index, have lower mean physical activity levels, and be current smokers. What is also significant is that even eating one extra meal out, raised the odds of prehypertension by 6%. The study appeared in this month's American Journal of Hypertension.
Boomers Living Longer, Not Healthier
America's aging baby boomers are not exactly the picture of health, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC's) 38th annual report on the nation's health, which this year includes a special section focusing on the health of Americans aged 55 to 64 years, the heart of the "baby boom" generation.
Nearly 1 in 5 baby boomers has diabetes, 40% are obese, more than half take prescription medication for hypertension, and most will be covered by Medicare within the next 10 years, which poses challenges to the country's healthcare system, the report notes.
However, the report also finds that the overall death rate in this age group has declined during the past decade.
"Health, United States, 2014" includes 123 tables on key health measures from a number of sources within the federal government and in the private sector. Topics covered include birth rates and reproductive health, life expectancy and leading causes of death, health risk behaviors, healthcare use and insurance coverage, and health expenditures.
Between 2003 and 2013, life expectancy at birth, a measure often used to gauge the overall health of a population, increased 1.2 years for white women, 1.6 years for white men, 2.7 years for black women, and 3.4 years for black men, the report says.
For the period 1980 and 2013, life expectancy rose from 70.0 to 76.4 years for men and from 77.4 to 81.2 years for women. Racial disparities in life expectancy at birth persisted for both sexes in 2013 but continue to narrow. By 2013, life expectancy at birth was 78.1 years for black non-Hispanic women, 81.2 years for white non-Hispanic women, and 83.8 years for Hispanic women. The corresponding figures for men were 71.8, 76.5, and 79.1 years.
Americans with chronic diseases are living longer, with the exception of patients with Alzheimer's disease. Between 2003 and 2013, the overall all-cause age-adjusted death rate fell 15% among men and 13% among women.
During this 10-year period, age-adjusted death rates in men declined 34% for stroke, 27% for heart disease, 17% for cancer, and 11% for chronic lower respiratory diseases, but increased 6% for Alzheimer's disease and held steady for unintentional injuries. Among women, the age-adjusted death rates declined 34% for stroke, 31% for heart disease, and 14% for cancer, but increased 8% for Alzheimer's disease and 10% for unintentional injuries.
Nearly 1 in 5 baby boomers has diabetes, 40% are obese, more than half take prescription medication for hypertension, and most will be covered by Medicare within the next 10 years, which poses challenges to the country's healthcare system, the report notes.
However, the report also finds that the overall death rate in this age group has declined during the past decade.
"Health, United States, 2014" includes 123 tables on key health measures from a number of sources within the federal government and in the private sector. Topics covered include birth rates and reproductive health, life expectancy and leading causes of death, health risk behaviors, healthcare use and insurance coverage, and health expenditures.
Between 2003 and 2013, life expectancy at birth, a measure often used to gauge the overall health of a population, increased 1.2 years for white women, 1.6 years for white men, 2.7 years for black women, and 3.4 years for black men, the report says.
For the period 1980 and 2013, life expectancy rose from 70.0 to 76.4 years for men and from 77.4 to 81.2 years for women. Racial disparities in life expectancy at birth persisted for both sexes in 2013 but continue to narrow. By 2013, life expectancy at birth was 78.1 years for black non-Hispanic women, 81.2 years for white non-Hispanic women, and 83.8 years for Hispanic women. The corresponding figures for men were 71.8, 76.5, and 79.1 years.
Americans with chronic diseases are living longer, with the exception of patients with Alzheimer's disease. Between 2003 and 2013, the overall all-cause age-adjusted death rate fell 15% among men and 13% among women.
During this 10-year period, age-adjusted death rates in men declined 34% for stroke, 27% for heart disease, 17% for cancer, and 11% for chronic lower respiratory diseases, but increased 6% for Alzheimer's disease and held steady for unintentional injuries. Among women, the age-adjusted death rates declined 34% for stroke, 31% for heart disease, and 14% for cancer, but increased 8% for Alzheimer's disease and 10% for unintentional injuries.
Wednesday, May 13, 2015
Thursday, May 07, 2015
Sweetened Milk Drinks Under Fire
A new study in Diabetologia indicates, for the first time, a link between the consumption of sweetened milk drinks and type 2 diabetes, indicating that efforts to reduce intake of sugar-sweetened beverages should be extended to include milkshakes and flavored milk, say the researchers.
As well as the association between type 2 diabetes and sweetened milk drinks, the study also calculated that, for each 5% increase of a person's total energy intake provided by sweet drinks, the risk of developing type 2 diabetes may increase by 18%.
And replacing the daily consumption of one serving of a sugary drink with either water or unsweetened tea or coffee can lower the risk of developing diabetes by between 14% and 25%, the scientists stress.
As well as the association between type 2 diabetes and sweetened milk drinks, the study also calculated that, for each 5% increase of a person's total energy intake provided by sweet drinks, the risk of developing type 2 diabetes may increase by 18%.
And replacing the daily consumption of one serving of a sugary drink with either water or unsweetened tea or coffee can lower the risk of developing diabetes by between 14% and 25%, the scientists stress.
Wednesday, May 06, 2015
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