Spices and herbs may help you avoid disease - CNN.com

Spices and herbs may help you avoid disease - CNN.com:

"Cinnamon affects cholesterol, triglycerides, and glucose transport -- all
reported in clinical trials,' says Don Graves, Ph.D., a professor of
biochemistry at the University of California in Santa Barbara. In a 2003 study,
researchers supplemented the diets of 60 diabetic men and women with one, three,
or six grams (just more than one teaspoon) of cinnamon daily. After 40 days,
subjects' levels of ldl cholesterol fell by as much as 26 percent. 'There was no
difference in the effects at one gram or six,' Graves says."

Mental workouts have long-term payoff, study says

Use it or lose it...

The Seattle Times: Health: Mental workouts have long-term payoff, study says:

"...exercises to boost reasoning skills, memory and mental processing speed staved off mental decline in middle-aged and elderly people in the first definitive study to show that honing intellectual skills can bolster the mind in the same way that physical exercise protects and strengthens the body."

FDA calls for pain reliever warning - USATODAY.com

FDA calls for pain reliever warning - USATODAY.com:

"Non-prescription pain relievers used by millions of U.S. consumers need stronger health warnings regarding liver or stomach risk, the Food and Drug Administration said Tuesday.

The drugs include some of the most commonly taken in the USA — aspirin, ibuprofen and acetaminophen — and will affect such household brands as Motrin, Advil, Aleve and Tylenol."

Vitamin D may lower risk of multiple sclerosis, study finds - USATODAY.com

Vitamin D may lower risk of multiple sclerosis, study finds - USATODAY.com:

"Vitamin D might help protect people from developing multiple sclerosis, an incurable disease of the central nervous system, a study reports Wednesday.

If the link between vitamin D and MS pans out, people might be able to ward off the potentially crippling disease by taking vitamin D supplements, says lead researcher Alberto Ascherio of the Harvard School of Public Health."

another reason to not go out to eat

USNews.com: TKTKTK:

"Trans fats are clearly on their way out. Indeed, expert Walter Willett of Harvard University predicts they'll be nearly gone in five years. But there's a catch: The FDA labeling rule applies only to food sold in stores; it does not apply to restaurants, bakeries, and deli counters. So it's more than likely that you're still eating trans fats when you eat out. .... The solution is obvious: Eat at home more. 'You can't protect yourself unless you fix your meals at home from scratch,' says Suzanne Havala Hobbs, author of Get the Trans Fat Out."

Low-Fat Diets May Help Some Dodge Cancer - Forbes.com

Low-Fat Diets May Help Some Dodge Cancer - Forbes.com: "

The first experiment ever to show that low-fat diets could help prevent a return of breast cancer now reveals, with longer follow-up, that the benefit was almost exclusively to women whose tumor growth was not driven by hormones.

That could be huge - the new results suggest but cannot prove that these women might be able to cut their risk of dying by up to 66 percent with such diets"

Independent Online Edition > Health Medical

Independent Online Edition > Health Medical:

"It's official - vegetarians really are smarter. But it is not because of what they eat. Bright children are more likely to reject meat and opt to become vegetarians when they grow up, a study has shown. Clever veggies are born not made"

Monkey see, Monkey do

Model Behavior:

"If you don’t want your child to drink soda or chew with his mouth open then you probably shouldn’t either. Experts say role modeling is one of the most natural and effective ways to inspire children to eat right, have good table manners and exercise regularly. In fact, most children develop their eating habits and attitudes about eating and exercise from the grown-ups who care for them. "

Is Food at Home Healthier?

Is Food at Home Healthier?:

"According to the new national survey released on December 6th by the Food Marketing Institute (FMI) and Rodale Inc.'s Prevention magazine there is a strong correlation between consumers who try the hardest to eat healthfully and those who eat dinner at home nearly every day"

Car Safety Seats May Cause Breathing Problems for Infants - CME Teaching Brief® - MedPage Today

Car Safety Seats May Cause Breathing Problems for Infants

"When infants take lengthy naps in child safety seats, the babies may risk life-threatening oxygen desaturation, according to a small study"

BBC NEWS | Health | Aspirin 'blocks prostate problem'

BBC NEWS | Health | Aspirin 'blocks prostate problem':

"Aspirin and other similar painkillers may halve the risk of developing an enlarged prostate, research suggests.

The condition, known as benign prostatic hyperplasia, can make urination difficult or trigger a need to urinate frequently."

New York Bans Most Trans Fats in Restaurants - New York Times

New York Bans Most Trans Fats in Restaurants - New York Times:

"Trans fats are the chemically modified food ingredients that raise levels of a particularly unhealthy form of cholesterol and have been squarely linked to heart disease. Long used as a substitute for saturated fats in baked goods, fried foods, salad dressings, margarine and other foods, trans fats also have a longer shelf life than other alternatives.

While the trans fat regulation captured the most attention, the Board of Health approved a separate measure — also the first of its kind in the country — requiring some restaurants, mostly fast food outlets, to prominently display the caloric content of each menu item on menu boards or near cash registers."

Cutting Calories May Aid Immune System

Cutting Calories May Aid Immune System:

"Calorie restriction might help the body's immune system, researchers report.

The findings are based on lab tests on monkeys, not people.

But the researchers note that other studies have linked calorie restriction and longer life in short-lived organisms including worms, flies, and spiders.

The final verdict isn't in yet on calorie restriction and human longevity."

Eating fruit and veg 'halves miscarriage risk' | the Daily Mail

Eating fruit and veg 'halves miscarriage risk' | the Daily Mail:

"A good diet is vital in pregnancy. Eating fruit and vegetables daily halves the chance of miscarriage, research shows.

A study of thousands of pregnant women revealed those who included fruit and veg regularly in their diet were 46 per cent less likely to miscarry.

Chocolate, vitamin tablets, dairy products, fish and white meat also increased the odds of a successful pregnancy.

Underweight women, however, 70% more likely to miscarry. There was also a slight increase in miscarriage in women whose partners were over the age of 45"

Onions, garlic linked to lower cancer risks - Yahoo! News

Onions, garlic linked to lower cancer risks - Yahoo! News:

"In an analysis of eight studies from Italy and Switzerland, researchers found that older adults with the highest onion and garlic intakes had the lowest risks of a number of cancers -- including colon, ovarian and throat cancers.

The findings, which appear in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, are in line with some past research."

BBC NEWS | Health | Bacon link to bladder cancer risk

And boneless chicken!

BBC NEWS | Health | Bacon link to bladder cancer risk:

"Harvard scientists found people who ate bacon at least five times a week were 59% more likely to develop the disease than those who never did.

They also found people who frequently ate skinless chicken had a 52% greater risk. Chemicals called nitrosamines and heterocyclic amines may be to blame.

The study appears in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition."

BTW Remember that marinading is reported to cut down on the nitrates!

BBC NEWS | Health | Red wine health locations found

BBC NEWS | Health | Red wine health locations found:

"Those seeking a longevity-boosting tipple should turn their attention to red wines from Sardinia and south-west France, a study concludes.

UK researchers discovered chemicals called procyanidins were responsible for red wine's well-documented heart-protecting effect.

And they found traditionally made wines from these areas had more procyanidins than wines in other parts of the world."

Smokers: cutting back is not enough - The Herald

Smokers: cutting back is not enough - The Herald:

"Heavy smokers who halve their daily cigarette intake do not significantly cut their risk of early death, according to a study published today.

"

USATODAY.com - On Deadline | Archives | Researchers: Folic acid may reduce heart attack risk

USATODAY.com - On Deadline | Archives | Researchers: Folic acid may reduce heart attack risk: "The evidence is very persuasive' that folic acid can 'lower your risk of heart attack and stroke by about 10-20%,' David Wald, of the Wolfson Institute for Preventive Medicine, Barts and the London, Queen Mary School of Medicine and Dentistry in London, said in an interview with the news service."

Red Wine Compound Could Boost Endurance - Forbes.com

Red Wine Compound Could Boost Endurance - Forbes.com:

"Athletes and non-athletes alike may want to raise a glass to resveratrol, an ingredient in red wine that researchers say doubled the physical endurance of mice in a new study, while protecting them against diabetes and obesity."

NPR : Why Americans Relish Cranberries

Another interesting food story from NPR

NPR : Why Americans Relish Cranberries:

"Cranberries are grown in the northeastern United States, Wisconsin, Washington and Oregon, as well as in Canada. Massachusetts has the oldest cranberry story -- some vines date to the time of the Pilgrims. When colonists arrived in North America, they found a cranberry that was twice the size of the berries they were used to back in Europe, though just as tasty. (America has been super-sizing portions from the very start.) Today, Wisconsin is the country's leading cranberry producer."

Happy people may suffer fewer colds - Yahoo! News

Happy people may suffer fewer colds - Yahoo! News:

"The findings, published in the journal Psychosomatic Medicine, build on evidence that a 'positive emotional style' can help ward off the common cold and other illnesses.

Researchers believe the reasons may be both objective -- as in happiness boosting immune function -- and subjective -- as in happy people being less troubled by a scratchy throat or runny nose."

NPR : More Good News for Chocolate Lovers

NPR : More Good News for Chocolate Lovers: "

There's yet another study suggesting chocolate in moderate amounts can be good for you. Other studies have shown that dark chocolate can lower blood pressure and improve people's cholesterol profile. What's new about this study is that it identifies a new mechanism: chocolate appears to make blood less 'sticky,' much the way aspirin does"

NPR : Americans Turning Their Attention to Tea

NPR : Americans Turning Their Attention to Tea:

"Tea is one of the oldest beverages around, but its popularity is growing like a new product's. Total U.S. sales have almost quadrupled since 1990, according to the Tea Association of the USA.

You can now buy a range of ready-to-drink teas in even the most out-of-the-way convenience stores, and there's been a boom in premium and specialty products like chai tea."

Vegetable-rich low-carb cuts heart disease risk, says study

READ CAREFULLY! The 'if" is important!

Vegetable-rich low-carb cuts heart disease risk, says study:

"Low-carb diets, like the once fashionable Atkins diet, do not increase the risk of heart disease, says new research from Harvard – and if vegetables rather than meat are the source of fat and protein then the risk of heart disease may be cut by 30 per cent."

Study: Vegetables may keep brains young - Yahoo! News

Study: Vegetables may keep brains young - Yahoo! News:

"On measures of mental sharpness, older people who ate more than two servings of vegetables daily appeared about five years younger at the end of the six-year study than those who ate few or no vegetables."

Four short walks a day helps keep BP in check - Yahoo! News

Four short walks a day helps keep BP in check - Yahoo! News:

"After four 10-minute sessions on a treadmill, spaced an hour apart, people's blood pressures were reduced for three to four hours longer than after a single 40-minute treadmill workout, Dr. Saejong Park of Indiana University in Bloomington and colleagues found.

'Results of our study indicate that as few as four 10-minute walking sessions per day is effective in reducing blood pressure in prehypertension,' Park and his team conclude in a report in the Journal of Hypertension."

Tea’s Got a Brand New Bag - New York Times

Interesting

Tea’s Got a Brand New Bag - New York Times:

"Look closely at a conventional tea bag in your cupboard or in the paper cup from the local deli. Chances are that instead of leaves it is filled with indistinguishable bits, the detritus left after tea leaves are sifted and graded. The tea industry calls it dust, and the beverage it makes is likely to be rusty-looking and often bitterly tannic. But it no longer has to be, nor is it necessary to brew a whole pot of tea to achieve something better tasting.

Perhaps the surest sign that the tea world is changing is this: Lipton, the world’s largest tea company and a division of Unilever, will start selling tea bags containing long leaf teas in supermarkets nationwide next month"

The War Over Salt - New York Times

The War Over Salt - New York Times:

"the medical association, which had never before called for regulation of a food ingredient, asked the F.D.A. to revoke salt’s long-time status as a substance that is “generally recognized as safe,” a classification that warrants little oversight. Instead, the F.D.A. should regulate salt as a food additive, the medical group said.

If the recommendation were adopted, packaged-food companies would have to adhere to limits on allowable sodium levels for various categories of food, and speed up the search for an alternative to salt as a preservative and flavor enhancer.

The initiative has thrust salt into the limelight as a public health concern and raised questions over how attentive the F.D.A. has been to the problem of excess sodium consumption."

Start the Day in a Happy Way with New Fruity Cheerios(R) Cereal: Financial News - Yahoo! Finance

I have tried this cereal and have to agree with the pressw release: it is really good!

Start the Day in a Happy Way with New Fruity Cheerios(R) Cereal: Financial News - Yahoo! Finance:

"A win-win-win of fun, flavor and nutrition, new Fruity Cheerios cereal can boost the happiness level of any morning routine by giving kids a healthy start to their day and a taste they'll love."

Green tea shown to prolong life in Japanese study - Yahoo! News

Green tea shown to prolong life in Japanese study - Yahoo! News:

"The investigation by Dr. Shinichi Kuriyama and colleagues at the Tohoku University School of Public Policy, Sendai, Japan, found the beverage was particularly effective in fighting heart disease but did not reduce the death rate due to cancer, as some earlier animal studies had suggested.

Polyphenols -- plant compounds known to be antioxidants -- found in green tea may explain the life prolonging benefit it confers, said the study published in this week's"

Olive oil!

More good news on the olive oil front!

From Yahoo:

"Reporting in the Annals of Internal Medicine, European researchers say virgin olive oil may be particularly effective at lowering heart disease risk because of its high level of antioxidant plant compounds.

In a study of 200 healthy men, the researchers found that virgin olive oil -- rich in antioxidants called polyphenols -- showed stronger heart-health effects than the more extensively processed "non-virgin" variety."

More reason to drink juice!

Fruit and vegetable juice may ward off Alzheimer's - Yahoo! News:

"Drinking fruit and vegetable juices frequently could help stave of Alzheimer's disease in individuals at risk for developing the disease, research suggests."

Sunday Beer Sales

from WSTM:

"ALBANY, N.Y. New Yorkers won't have to wait until noon to buy beer anymore.

Starting today, a new law goes into effect that lets stores sell beer starting at 8 o-clock on Sunday mornings instead of having to wait until noon.Governor Pataki signed the law Thursday.The old rule was part of the blue laws that were originally designed to restrict certain activities on Sunday to appease the church. Lawmakers say the new law will make it easier on those who are traveling or just prefer to shop early."

Watch for unit bias!

Interesting article!

From Yahoo:

'"unit bias," the tendency to think that a single unit of food — a bottle, a can, a plateful, or some more subtle measure — is the right amount to eat or drink, researchers propose.

""Whatever size a banana is, that's what you eat, a small banana or a big banana," says Andrew Geier of the University of Pennsylvania. And "whatever's served on your plate, it just seems locked in our heads: that's a meal.""

later:

" "In the June issue of the journal Psychological Science, Geier and colleagues dig into why people are so swayed by this unit idea when they decide how much to eat.""

Vegan diet for Diabetics

While this was in many places, the quote if from the San Jose Mercury News

http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercurynews/news/politics/15137983.htm


"WASHINGTON - People with type-2 diabetes might be able to lose more weight and deal better with the disease by following a low-fat, vegan diet - rather than commonly recommended low-carbohydrate diets - a study released Thursday found.

The study, conducted by the vegan organization Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine and George Washington University, followed 99 people with type-2 diabetes for 22 weeks - half ate a vegan diet and half followed dietary guidelines from the American Diabetes Association.

Members of both groups lowered their weight, and improved blood glucose control and cholesterol levels.

But those who avoided meat and dairy had greater success, said Neal Barnard, president of PCRM, a nonprofit organization that focuses on preventive medicine and nutrition, and promotes vegetarian diets and alternatives to animal research."

Of course, there might be a bias, but defnitely worth more study!

Warm Watermelon Wins

From CNN:

"Watermelons stored at room temperature deliver more nutrients than refrigerated or freshly picked melons, they reported in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry.

Penelope Perkins-Veazie and Julie Collins of the USDA's South Central Agricultural Research Laboratory in Lane, Oklahoma, looked specifically at carotenoids -- antioxidants that can counter the damage caused by sun, chemicals and day-to-day living."

Why?

"They said their findings showed that watermelons continue to produce these nutrients after they are picked and that chilling slows this process."

Which suggests that cooling them at the last minute is still ok. Stay tuned!

Children's nutritional intake shown to impact IQs

While this comes laregly from a bird study (so you can say it is for the birds if you so desire), the results are so important that I will join the others in making the jump to applying it to human development.

From Science Daily:

"Poor nutrition early in life can impair neural development, leading to lower IQ in humans and flawed song learning in birds. Recent evidence indicates that many organisms can offset some of the changes associated with early poor nutrition by modifying their physical development. For example, poorly nourished children can undergo a period of accelerated growth once their diet improves, ultimately appearing normal as an adult. But such compensatory measures may come at a price, with cognitive or other developmental disabilities emerging later in life"

Sweet tooth may be satisfied with fruits

Interesting. Short version: If you like sweets, you probably like fruit more than vegetables.

From Yahoo:

"The study published in the journal Appetite found people who eat candy, cakes and other sweet snacks eat more fruit than people who prefer salty snacks like nuts and chips."

Wansink said parents and public health officials could use this information to encourage the phase-in of more fruits among kids and other people with a sweet tooth."

Now if I could only figure out why the study was done by a marketing professor (Cornell's Brian Wansin).....

Good news on the Glycemic Index "diet"

I hate the word Diet. How about "food style choice"?

But whatever it is called...here is some good news:

"A diet rich in carbohydrates with a low glycemic index appears to be more effective in reducing fat mass and lowering the chances of developing cardiovascular disease (CVD) than diets with a high glycemic index or high in protein, an Australian research team reports."

And later:

"In the short term, our findings suggest that dietary glycemic load, and not just overall energy intake, influences weight loss," the team concludes.

In a related editorial, Dr. Simin Liu, from the University of California in Los Angeles, points out that "foods with a low degree of starch gelatinization, such as pasta, and those containing a high level of viscous soluble fiber, such as whole grain barley, oats, and rye, have slower rates of digestion and lower glycemic index values."

Therefore, the commentator continues, "Without any drastic change in regular dietary habits, one can simply replace high glycemic index grains with low glycemic index grains and starchy vegetables with less starchy ones and cut down on soft drinks that are often poor in nutrients yet high in glycemic load.""

A list of many foods glycemic index can be found here.

Wish OJ were lower! Especially when I drink so much of it. The glycemic load must be off the charts :(

NPR on the Avacado

Ok, so everyone may not be interested in this, but I was and hence am posting it ;)

From NPR (they have both the audio and a text story online):

"The ahuacate, a pebbly-skinned, pear-shaped fruit, had been a staple food in Mexico, and Central and South America since 500 B.C. In the 16th century, Spanish conquistadors fell in love with the fruit after observing its prized status among the Aztecs."

The piece goes on to explain why (and how) the name was changed to today's avacado, talks about the nutritional aspects of the fruit, and even gives some recipes.

More on tuna

Life is a multi-Regression equation is one of my favorite quotes. It means that you take the good (positive coefficients) with the bad (negative coefficients).

That was the first thing I thought of when I got the following today from the US tuna

Dear Colleagues:

The tuna industry has again been the target of misinformation by organizations whose agendas we believe do not serve public health and may have unintended but serious consequences for millions of Americans. The best way for consumers to receive credible dietary and health advice is to rely on credible public health and scientific authorities. At the same time, it is incumbent upon our industry to routinely communicate with key audiences about the safety and quality of our products, as well as our sustainable business practices. For these reasons, I am forwarding this statement to you in the hope that you will read it and share it with your members.

Sincerely,

Anne Forristall Luke
President
U.S. Tuna Foundation

and in the attached PDF file:

"Harvard Center for Risk Analysis concluded after a comprehensive study, the benefits of fish consumption FAR outweigh the risk of any harm from the trace amounts of mercury present. In fact, the Defenders of Wildlife acknowledges on its Web site the “well-known health benefits to eating light canned tuna.”"

and also:

"A.C. Nielsen data shows that, in fact, more than 11 million low-income American families – including a high proportion of those at greatest risk for obesity, diabetes and heart disease – have stopped eating canned tuna . Canned tuna has no peer when it comes to the combination of affordability and quality lean protein and heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids, so when millions of Americans at high risk for heart disease, obesity and diabetes stop eating it, the adverse impact on public health can be expected to be significant.

The members of the U.S. Tuna Foundation – Bumble Bee, StarKist and Chicken of the Sea -- stand by the quality, safety and nutritional benefits of our products.

We advocate responsible government testing of canned tuna for mercury content as well as educating the public. The public can have confidence in the FDA’s comprehensive testing program. In contrast to the Defenders of Wildlife 164-can sample, which is statistically insignificant, the FDA tested more than 10,000 cans of tuna before it developed the FDA/EPA advisory that offers guidance to women who are or might become pregnant and small children. The FDA advises this group on the need to safely incorporate fish and canned tuna into their diets and reap its nutritional and developmental benefits. The FDA encourages all other groups to eat more fish, including canned tuna."

I do agree that there are many very good points about canned tuna (positive coefficient). However, mercury contamination is a concern that does need to be considered (like any negative coefficient). Indeed, it might be useful for the tuna industry to report on each label (on a day by day basis plant by plant basis) the average amount of mercury in their product. At least it would let consumers know what they were getting and they could then make an informed decision. And it would likely lead to cleaner oceans as well! :)

Tuna News

From FoodConsumer.com but also listed on most news sites.

"July 12 (foodconsumer.org) - A new analysis of light tuna suggests that the Joint Advisory on consumption of canned light tuna issued by the Food and Drug Administration and the Environmental Protection Agency does not adequately address the potential risk of mercury in the imported light canned tuna.

The advisory of the FDA/EPA, recommends eating up to 12 ounces (2 average meals) a week of a variety of fish and shellfish that are lower in mercury, - "five of the most commonly eaten fish that are low in mercury are shrimp, canned light tuna, salmon, pollock, and catfish," and "another commonly eaten fish, albacore ("white") tuna has more mercury than canned light tuna. So, when choosing your two meals of fish and shellfish, you may eat up to 6 ounces (one average meal) of albacore tuna per week."

RealityCheck

You've heard the commercials, now check out the website!

Bigger is not always better

From the NY Times:

"Nearly every dish and beverage Americans now consume is supersized compared with what they used to eat (and, I might add, at a time when more energy was spent just getting through the demands of the day).

An average serving of pasta is now 480 percent greater than the one-cup recommended serving size, Lisa Young and Marion Nestle, nutritionists at New York University, reported in 2002 in The American Journal of Public Health.....

....The muffin tins from my childhood produce muffins one-third the size of those at Starbucks.

Restaurants like fast-food and takeout establishments, as well as family-style businesses, pile on food with no regard for recommended portions."

Yet another reason to cook your own foods and watch consumption.

Fish for the eyes

While fish has had a rough time of it lately due to mercury and other issues, two studies out now suggest that fish may prevent some kinds of blindness.

From Yahoo:

"Two new studies give one more reason to eat a diet rich in fish: prevention of age-related macular degeneration, the leading cause of blindness in old age"

and later:

"The omega-3 fatty acids found in fish such as salmon are already known to help the heart and brain stay healthy. The new studies, appearing Monday in the Archives of Ophthalmology, add to evidence that fish eaters also protect the eyes.The new studies aren't the strongest level of scientific evidence, but they confirm the findings of previous studies that also link fish consumption with prevention of macular degeneration"

Tobacco may kill a BILLION people

While the key phrase is "if current trends continue", there is no doubt that many people will die years before they would if it weren't for tobacco.

From Yahoo:

"Tobacco alone is predicted to kill a billion people this century, 10 times the toll it took in the 20th century, if current trends hold.

"In all of world history, this is the largest train wreck not waiting to happen," said John Seffrin, chief executive officer of the American Cancer Society

Reducing tobacco use would have the single largest effect on global cancer rates, Seffrin and other health officials said Monday in unveiling two reference guides that chart global tobacco use and cancer."

and later:

"An estimated 1.25 billion men and women currently smoke cigarettes, and more than half of them will die from the habit, according to the newly issued second edition of the Tobacco Atlas.

The two atlases were released Monday at an International Union Against Cancer conference."

Tylenol may harm liver

First NSAIDs, now Tylenol.

From the LA Times:

"The highest recommended dose of Extra Strength Tylenol sharply increased liver
enzymes in healthy adults in a clinical study — an early sign of possible organ
damage.Although overdoses of Tylenol have been found to harm the liver, the
study published today in the Journal of the American Medical Assn. is the first
to spot hints of trouble in healthy people taking the pain reliever as
directed...."

It looks more and more like aspirin will be the pain killer of choice.

I was tricked...lesson learned

I confess, they tricked me. Kellogg's got me. I mean a bar Healthy Heart wouldn't have trans-fat in it, right? So I didn't look.

Guess what...I just read the indgredients: two listings of partially hyrogenated oils. Well, I won't be buying that again!

Well it is a nice one time sale strategy.

Coffee vs. Diabetes

This has been widely reported in the past few days. This particular quote is from Forbes:

"Drinking lots of coffee cut women's risk of developing diabetes in an 11-year study, researchers report. But it was the antioxidants, not caffeine, in the brew that probably did the trick.

In fact, diabetes risk was reduced most in participants who preferred decaffeinated coffee, the researchers said.

"In our study, for whatever reason, it doesn't look like caffeine has anything to do with it," said lead researcher Mark A. Pereira, an associate professor of epidemiology and community health at the University of Minnesota, Minneapolis.

His team published its findings Monday in the Annals of Internal Medicine."

Second Hand Smoke

Gee who would have guessed???

From AP:

"The debate is over. The science is clear: Secondhand smoke is not a mere annoyance, but a serious health hazard," said U.S. Surgeon General Richard Carmona.

From Reuters:

"Second-hand smoke kills people and the only way to control it is to ban all smoking in workplaces, the U.S. government's top doctor said on Tuesday"

Oh and of course the tobacco industry somehow continues to deny.

From the Reuters article:

"Reynolds American Inc.'s R.J. Reynolds Tobacco unit said in a statement on its Web site: "It seems unlikely that second-hand smoke presents any significant harm to otherwise healthy nonsmoking adults; and, given the extensive smoking bans and restrictions that have already been enacted, nonsmokers can easily avoid exposure to second-hand smoke."

Altria Group Inc.'s Philip Morris USA unit said people could choose whether to be around smokers."

Huh? And yet parents smoke in cars with children (who may be especially pone to problems from second hand smoke), in homes, and around pets. :(

Oh and a side note to the good people at Reynolds, read this one. I understand personal freedom and even the questions that many of your people bring up, but the preponderance of evindecne is now against you and it is time to admit it; everyone should know the truth of the consequences of your product.

Did you know?

A little tidbit I stumbled upon when reading on the history of Jelly from Jelly.org.

"A grape jam patent was first issued to Paul Welch in 1917 for the puréeing of grapes. He called the product “Grapelade.” The entire production was purchased by the U.S. Army and shipped to France for consumption by the troops during World War I. When the troops returned to the States after the war, they demanded more of this “Grapelade,” and it was produced in quantity."

Want one more? Ok, well this is interesting as I am quite the outlier:

"The average child will eat 1,500 peanut butter and jelly sandwiches by high school graduation."

I bet you that I average 10 peanut butter sandwiches PER WEEK. So 1500 seems very low to me. Of course, throw in zero steaks, zero turkey sandwiches, zero subs, etc and I guess that explains the difference. (It's Peanut Butter-Jelly Time!)

There is quite a bit more on Jelly, Jams, and Preserves to know---including the differences between jellies, james, butters etc.


Check it out at Jelly.org

WebMD's top ten Worse Trans-Fat foods

The top "ten" worse foods with respect to Transfat by Web MD. AND they sort of cheat by giving top ten categories, but that is a good thing since we get more info. The . AND they sort of cheat by giving top ten categories, but that is a good thing since we get more info.

For instance from the article:

"Following are the top 10 categories of foods that made the "most unwanted list." Some formerly bad characters have cleaned up their act. Values listed for trans fats are per serving.

1. Spreads. Margarine continues to be a major culprit. Stick margarine is worse than soft margarine.

• Blue Bonnet stick margarine -- 1.5 grams
• Fleischmann's stick margarine -- 2 grams
• Land O'Lakes stick margarine --2.5 grams
• Smart Balance tub margarine -- 0
• Smucker's Natural Peanut Butter -- 0

Tip: Dip bread in flavored olive oil instead of slathering it with butter."

Very interesting and HIGHLY recommended.

My advice? If it says hydrogenated or partially hydrogenated, put it back. If eating out, assume there is transfat and order a salad.

Diabetes on the increase

I doubt this one (which is being widely reported) suprised anyone.

From ABC:

"The occurrence of new cases of type-II diabetes has doubled over the past three decades, a report in the American Heart Association's journal Circulation says.

"Most, but not all, of the increase in diabetes occurred in people who were obese - those with a body mass index of 30 or more." lead author Dr Caroline S Fox said. "

and later:

"They suggest that "changes in dietary and physical activity patterns that are independent of changes in body weight may also contribute to the present findings".

For example, the team says another study shows "consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages is an independent risk factor for diabetes, even after adjustment for weight gain"."

Second Hand Smoke still bad

A second look shows Second hand smoke is still really bad.

From CNN:

" A new international study of more than 20,000 children confirms that exposure to cigarette smoke before and after birth impairs their lung function and that parental smoking remains a serious public health issue.

The effects of smoking during pregnancy last up to age 12, while exposure to cigarette smoking after birth further worsens lung function, Dr. Manfred A. Neuberger of the Medical University in Vienna, Austria, one of the study's authors, told Reuters."

I can not stress enough, PLEASE DO NOT SMOKE!

Heart Association on Trans-Fat

simple rule: avoid transfat!

From USA TODAY:

"The American Heart Association has become the first big health group to urge a specific limit on trans fats in the diet — less than 1% of total calories — in new guidelines released Monday.

Also for the first time, the organization's dietary guidelines include lifestyle recommendations, including an emphasis on getting exercise and not smoking.

A panel of specialists in nutrition and heart disease reviewed more than 90 studies to update the dietary advice the association released in 2000. The guidelines are for healthy Americans ages 2 and older."

From CNN:

"The American Heart Association has become the first big health group to urge a specific limit on trans fats in the diet -- less than 1 percent of total calories -- in new guidelines released Monday."

more evidence veggies are good for you!

BBC NEWS | Health | Veg 'prevents artery hardening':

"US researchers found 38% less build up of fatty deposits in the arteries of mice who were fed a mixture of vegetables, including carrots and peas.

Evidence on the effects of diet on atherosclerosis in humans is not clear but eating fruit and vegetables is known to protect against heart disease.

The study in the Journal of Nutrition said the average person only eats three portions of fruit and veg a day."

Are you getting enough Vitamin D?

From Sportgeezer:

"Long known for its ability to preserve bone strength, vitamin D is now credited with powers that seem almost magical. The Los Angeles Times reports that a growing number of serious scientists speculate that the compound may ease aches and pains, slow some cancers and prevent diseases as varied as Type 1 diabetes, multiple sclerosis and schizophrenia"

And where can you get this "wonder drug"? Well from among other sources, the sun which is why some suspect those in N. Latitudes have a higher likelihood of MS.

Coffee and alcohol

Does coffee reduces liver problems brought on by alcohol? Perhaps.

From NY TIMES:

"In a population of more than 125,000 members of a prepaid health care plan, scientists found 199 with diagnoses of liver cirrhosis caused by alcohol abuse. The subjects were examined beginning in 1978, and they were followed for an average of more than 14 years. Their coffee drinking and other dietary and health habits were established using interviews and questionnaires.

Compared with people who never drank coffee, those who drank one cup a day or less were about 30 percent less likely to develop alcoholic cirrhosis. The more coffee they drank, the lower the risk."

Somewhat surprisingly, the researchers found no evidence that tea drinking offered any protection.

Green tea vs heart disease and cancer

While not as convincing to me as a lab test, it is at least suggestive that we should be drinking more green tea!

From CNN:

"Writing in the Journal of the American College of Surgeons, Yale University researchers detail the body of evidence linking green tea to better heart health and a lower risk of cancer.

No one is suggesting that smokers ignore the danger of the habit and simply drink green tea. But research indicates that the tea's high concentration of antioxidants called catechins may offer a range of health benefits, according to Dr. Bauer E. Sumpio and his colleagues"

Asian paradox:

"And it's possible that this habit helps explain the so-called "Asian paradox," according to Sumpio and his colleagues.

This paradox becomes clear when looking at global health statistics, the researchers note. For example, for every 100,000 U.S. men, 348 will die of coronary heart disease each year. The figure for Japanese men is 186, despite the nation's higher rate of smoking."

Like I said, I am not convinced, but it is consistent and possible and probably A PART of the explanation.

Folic Acid May Prevent Cancer of Larynx

While early, this is good news. I would still stress the MAY

Forbes reports:

"While folic acid is more commonly known as the nutrient that can help prevent birth defects, new research suggests that folic acid supplements may also help prevent cancer of the larynx.

In a study of people with precancerous lesions called leukoplakia, Italian researchers found the lesions disappeared in 28 percent of participants, and 44 percent experienced at least a partial shrinking of their lesions. All of the study participants took 5 milligrams of folic acid three times a day for six months."

Coffee: does it open your mind?

Does coffee open up your mind?

“The coffee you drink as a pick-me-up in the morning could also make you more open to persuasion, researchers say. Evidence from a new study suggests that this happens because caffeine revs up the brain, not because it generally boosts mood.”

Interesting, especially since I HATE the taste of coffee, now Chai Tea on the other hand. LOL.

Thanks to the Unknown Professor for pointing this one out.

Is Tuna Safe?

From NPR

"A new study from Consumer Reports recommends that pregnant women refrain from eating any canned tuna of any type. Previously, it was believed that light tuna had lower mercury content."

Stay Tuned!

High fat diet does not increase risk of skin cancer

Yahoo News

"According to their study in the journal BMC Cancer, high levels of dietary fat do not increase --and may decrease -- the risk of skin cancer.

"While our study is intriguing, and is in agreement with some other very large studies, we could not suggest that the public's health would be enhanced by consuming more fat," Dr. Robert H. Granger from the Menzies Research Institute, Hobart, told Reuters Health.

"Even if every study consistently showed that higher levels of fat intake were protective of skin cancer, there are enough negative health outcomes associated with high fat intake which far offset any supposed advantages,""

Too strict or too lax = too fat

From CNN:

"Strict mothers were nearly five times more likely to raise tubby first-graders than mothers who treated their children with flexibility and respect while also setting clear rules.

But while the children of flexible rule-setting moms avoided obesity, the children of neglectful mothers and permissive mothers were twice as likely to get fat."

The How of "Why Exercise Works"

Scientists may now have the "How" of why exercise works:

"The anti-cancer effects of exercise are due to increases in a protein that blocks cell growth and induces cell death, according to Australian researchersThe protein, called insulin-like binding protein-3 (IGFBP-3), inhibits another protein called insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), thereby blocking IGF-1's proliferative effect on cell growth, the study hints.

Dr. Andrew M. M. Haydon and colleagues at Manash Medical School in Melbourne"

Haydon also added:

"physical activity can increase IGFBP-3 levels, which, in turn, reduces the amount of free IGF-1." IGF-1 has been shown to stimulate cell growth, inhibit cell death, and promote angiogenesis -- the formation of new blood vessels, which tumors need to grow."

see also: The Surprising Effect of Exercise

Not even one!

Simply put, do not SMOKE!!

This was reported many places, but I will show you Forbes' version:

THURSDAY, May 25 (HealthDay News) -- Children who light up just once are twice as likely to become steady smokers later.

British researchers report that, among 11-year-olds, the desire to smoke can lie dormant for more than three years after trying just one cigarette.

The researchers call this a "sleeper effect," and it doubles the risk that a child who smokes just one cigarette will become a regular smoker, according to their report in the July issue of Tobacco Control.

Reasons to shop at smaller grocery stores from the NY Times

Need another reason not to shop at the "big stores"?

From the NY Times:

"A visit to a large supermarket can be a daunting experience: so many aisles, so many brands and varieties, so many prices to keep track of and labels to read, so many choices to make. No wonder. To repeat: An astonishing 320,000 edible products are for sale in the United States, and any large supermarket might display as many as 40,000 of them. You are supposed to feel daunted-bewildered by all the choices and forced to wander through the aisles in search of the items you came to buy. The big companies that own most supermarkets want you to do as much searching as you can tolerate."

and later in the same article:

"Supermarkets say they are in the business of offering "choice." Perhaps, but they do everything possible to make the choice theirs, not yours. Supermarkets are not social service agencies providing food for the hungry. Their job is to sell food, and more of it. From their perspective, it is your problem if what you buy makes you eat more food than you need, and more of the wrong kinds of foods in particular."

And later yet:

"This strategy, is based on research proving that "the rate of exposure is directly related to the rate of sale of merchandise." In other words, the more you see, the more you buy."

Shoppers can be in and out of our stores in fraction of the time of the big stores, have to look at less than a quarter of the items. These facts will let you buy just what you need and not enough to feed an army for a month!

Chocolate the wonder drug?

I just report them:

From ScienceDaily:

"A West Virginia professor has good news for chocoholics -- eating chocolate improves memory, reaction time and cognitive ability.

Dr. Bryan Raudenbush of Wheeling Jesuit University led the study, "Effects of Chocolate Consumption on Enhancing Cognitive Performance," Reliable Plant reported. He found that subjects who had consumed either milk chocolate or dark chocolate 15 minutes before they were tested performed better than those given carob or nothing at all."

Pregnant? DO NOT DRINK ALCOHOL!!!

Reuters:

"For pregnant women, even a few alcoholic beverages per week during the first or second trimester can have harmful consequences on the cognitive development of the unborn child.

A long-term study has found that 10-year-old African-American children who were exposed to between two to six drinks per week during pregnancy, particularly in the second trimester, had a lower IQ compared with children who were not exposed to alcohol while in the womb."

Smart Balance

I have been remiss about telling you of new products that we have "picked up". So I will include cheat and include a single line that has several new products out.

SmartBalance who got their start with spreads has several new products: a Peanut Butter Spread, a vegetable oil, two kinds of microwave popcorn, and a mayonaise.

All are made with the SmartBalance policy of no transfat and having a blend "of polyunsaturates, mono-unsaturates and saturates - including, a favorable balance between Omega-6 and Omega-3 polyunsaturates."

Pain medicine and heart problems

Well we've all seen the headlines for quite a while on Vioxx and other pain killers, but now maybe kinds that are sold over the counter are also being implicated. So until we know more, you should probably try to cut back on your consumption--especially if you are on blood pressure medication.

From WebMD:

"May 22, 2006 -- Common painkillers raise the risk of heart failure heart failure-related hospitalization in people over 60, a new study shows.

The risk is even greater for those who already have heart failure. And even very short-term painkiller use can be dangerous, the study finds -- especially for people taking blood-pressure-lowering medications."

From Medical News Today:

"Their conclusion was that not only do NSAIDs raise the risk for patients with a history of cardiovascular disease, but also people without any history of heart disease.

Many health experts wonder whether NSAIDs should be available so readily in supermarkets."

"Healthy" may not be low calorie!

A cardinal rule to remember: just because something says it is good for you, it may not be!

From Yahoo News:

"It turns out those "healthy" foods were just as fattening as the chips and soda they replaced: The yogurt was filled with Reese's Pieces and the low-fat cookies were brimming with sugar that kept her hunger on razor's edge.

As concerns grow over rising obesity rates, so does confusion about the difference between what is healthy and what aids weight loss — with many believing the two are interchangeable."

Benzene in soft drinks

From Medical News Today:

"According to a sample of 100 drinks, the FDA found that 5 had benzene levels over the 5 parts per billion limit set for drinking water."

and later:

"If a soft drink contains Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) plus either sodium benzoate or potassium benzoate, benzene can form in it when exposed to heat and/or light.

The FDA says it has informed the companies of the five drinks. Some have reformulated the drinks, while others say they will do so. Officials say people should not be concerned about their safety. However, several groups disagree."

Are Vitamins worth it?

Are vitamins worth it? I'll let MedicalNewsToday answer that:

"You see multivitamins for sale in supermarkets, health shops, pharmacies, general grocery stores and health clubs. Hundreds of millions of people worldwide take them regularly, without fail. But, what good do they do us? We simply don't know"

From USA Today:

Americans spend billions of dollars on vitamins each year, but an expert panel says there's not enough scientific evidence to determine whether a multivitamin/mineral supplement every day helps prevent chronic diseases such as heart disease and cancer.

"We have found no reasons to recommend that people either take them or not take them," says J. Michael McGinnis, chairman of the committee and a senior scholar with the Institute of Medicine."

and later:

"Some vitamin researchers who attended the conference support the use of multivitamins. "Most Americans know they are not eating as well as they should, and they recognize that multivitamins can help fill nutrient gaps," says Jeffrey Blumberg, a nutrition professor at Tufts University in Boston. Studies show that many people's diets fall short on many key nutrients such as vitamin E, vitamin C, vitamin D, magnesium and calcium, he says.

He says many experts recommend multivitamins for the elderly, dark-skinned people — often deficient in Vitamin D — and women of childbearing age. "Taking a multivitamin is a smart lifestyle choice when combined with eating a healthy diet and exercising," Blumberg says.""

Surprising news on exercise

We all knew exercise was good for you, but this one took me by surprise! A plesant surprise but a surprise:

From Physorg.com

" While doctors and scientists have long agreed that physical activity has health benefits, Rutgers cancer researcher Allan Conney and his New Jersey colleagues have found that exercise can even protect against skin cancer"

BBC NEWS | Health | Healthy fats 'halve risk of MND'

BBC NEWS | Health | Healthy fats 'halve risk of MND':

"Eating a high amount of polyunsaturated fats and vitamin E may halve the risk of developing motor neurone disease, a study suggests.

Polyunsaturated fats include omega 3, in certain vegetable oils and omega 6, in fish and green leafy vegetables.

Dutch researchers found people who had the highest daily intake of the fats had a 60% lower risk of developing MND compared to those who ate the least.

The study will appear in the Journal of Neurology Neurosurgery and Psychiatry."

BBC NEWS | Health | Healthy fats 'halve risk of MND'

BBC NEWS | Health | Healthy fats 'halve risk of MND':

"Eating a high amount of polyunsaturated fats and vitamin E may halve the risk of developing motor neurone disease, a study suggests.

Polyunsaturated fats include omega 3, in certain vegetable oils and omega 6, in fish and green leafy vegetables.

Dutch researchers found people who had the highest daily intake of the fats had a 60% lower risk of developing MND compared to those who ate the least.

The study will appear in the Journal of Neurology Neurosurgery and Psychiatry."

Pretzel logic: Researcher claims food choices reflect people's personalities

This was also in the OTH today...great stuff:...lol..

Pretzel logic: Researcher claims food choices reflect people's personalities:

"Everything we do reflects our personality, from our favorite colors to our choice of cars. Food is the same way,' Hirsch said. 'The question is: Are we smart enough to figure out what it means?'"

I love the Ice Cream test----for the record: either vanilla or mint chocolate chip.

Beware of the Salt Shockers

Beware of the Salt Shockers:

"You know salty snacks like chips, pretzels, and crackers are loaded with sodium. But do you realize most of the salt you consume comes from the foods you're picking at the grocery store? It's not just the salt shaker, says Rosemary Yurczyk, MS, RD, CDE, dietitian and diabetes educator at the University of California Davis Medical Center in Sacramento"

Calcium supplements have ‘little benefit’ for kids

Calcium supplements have ‘little benefit’ for kids:

"19/04/2006 - A review of 19 studies has concluded that kids do not benefit from calcium supplements and fortified foods, despite many not meeting recommended daily intakes of the mineral.

There has been considerable debate about childhood calcium intake and the onset of osteoporosis in adulthood, a disease that affects over 75 million people in Europe, the USA and Japan. “The review shows that supplementing the diet with calcium in healthy children has little benefit for bone health,” said lead author Tania Winzenberg from the Menzies Research Institute, Australia.

Published in the current issue of The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews (Issue 2, 2006), the researchers pooled 19 intervention studies investigating the effects of extra calcium for boys and girls aged three to 18."

Mediterranean Diet May Help Prevent Alzheimer's - Forbes.com

Mediterranean Diet May Help Prevent Alzheimer's - Forbes.com:

"The heart-healthy benefits of the so-called Mediterranean diet are well known, but new research suggests the eating plan may reduce the risk of Alzheimer's disease, too.

People who carefully followed the Mediterranean diet -- heavy on fish, fruits and vegetables, monounsaturated fats such as those found in olive oil, and low on meat and dairy products -- had a 40 percent lower risk of developing Alzheimer's than those who ate the conventional American diet."

Fat contained in fast food varies by country: study - Yahoo! News

One thing that I do not understand is how people continue to eat out so much:

Fat contained in fast food varies by country: study - Yahoo! News:

"Three Danish doctors found widely varying levels of unsaturated fatty acid known as 'trans fat' in foods purchased at McDonald's Corp and KFC fast food chains in 20 countries.

Studies show eating 5 grams of the fat per day increases the risk of heart disease by 25 percent.

In the large nuggets and fries meal, the amount of trans fat varied from less than 1 gram in Denmark to more than 10 grams in New York City, according to the research published in this week's
New England Journal of Medicine"

and also:

"In February, McDonald's announced that it had understated the amount of fat and calories in its french fries. It had originally said its large serving of fries had 6 grams of trans fat. The company said the correct number was now 8."

Stash Tea: The History of Tea

Stash Tea: The History of Tea: Very interesting site!

For instance, did you know?

"Tea was the major beverage served in the coffee houses, but they were so named because coffee arrived in England some years before tea....they were called 'Penny Universities' because for a penny any man could obtain a pot of tea, a copy of the newspaper, and engage in conversation with the sharpest wits of the day. The various houses specialized in selected areas of interest, some serving attorneys, some authors, others the military....One such beverage house was owned by Edward Lloyd and was favored by shipowners, merchants and marine insurers. That simple shop was the origin of Lloyd's, the worldwide insurance firm."

BBC NEWS | Health | Prostate cancer cholesterol link

Need another reason to watch cholesterol?

BBC NEWS | Health | Prostate cancer cholesterol link:

"Scientists have produced evidence linking high cholesterol levels to a raised risk of prostate cancer."

Doctor Wants To Test Treating Heart Patients With Chocolate

Doctor Wants To Test Treating Heart Patients With Chocolate:

"Dr. Roger Corder, William Harvey Research, London UK, is applying for permission to treat 40 patients who have cardiovascular diseases with plain chocolate.

(Dark Chocolate = Plain Chocolate. No milk in it)

Recent studies have shown that flavonoids are good for blood pressure, strokes and heart disease. Flavonoids are found in chocolates. Flavonoids are said to lower one's levels of bad cholesterol. "

of course:

"it depends which dark chocolate you are talking about. He acknowledges that not all dark chocolates are good for you. He believes it will take about a year before it is clear which dark chocolates could be used for his study. He stressed that recent research indicating the benefits of chocolate for health should not been seen as an excuse for an Easter chocolate feast."

Kingsford Fires Up a New Charcoal Briquet: Financial News - Yahoo! Finance

Kingsford Fires Up a New Charcoal Briquet: Financial News - Yahoo! Finance:

"Kingsford's new Sure Fire briquet features an original shape and grooves that expose more of the briquet's surface area to oxygen. The new design creates a more effective path for air to flow though, enabling the charcoal to burn more efficiently. The Sure Fire briquets minimize the amount of time it takes to reach cooking temperature, ultimately using less energy in the lighting stage, saving it for a longer cooking time."

And you thought that something like a charcoal briquet could not be improved!

BTW interesting historical trivia of Kingsford:

"In the 1920s, Henry Ford learned of a process for turning extra wood from the production of Model T's into charcoal briquets and later built a charcoal plant. E.G. Kingsford, a relative of Ford's, and Thomas Edison were instrumental in selecting and designing the site of the new charcoal manufacturing plant. By the end of 1924, the plant was producing 55 tons of briquets each day, which were first sold to industry (meat and fish smokehouses mainly) and then to car customers. Ford would sell the briquets in bags, emblazoned with the Ford logo, for 25 cents, along with a $2 grill."

BBC NEWS | Health | Low-cal diet 'long-life benefits'

BBC NEWS | Health | Low-cal diet 'long-life benefits': "Scientists have found tangible signs that a low-calorie diet could reverse signs of ageing in the body.

"A six-month study showed cutting calories lowered insulin levels and core body temperatures."

well, yeah...but the trillion dollar question is do these things lead to a longer life?

Ginger, pepper treat difficult cancers - Yahoo! News

Preliminary but promising:

Ginger, pepper treat difficult cancers - Yahoo! News:

"Dr. Rebecca Liu, an assistant professor of obstetrics and gynecology at the University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center, and colleagues tested ginger powder dissolved in solution by putting it on ovarian cancer cell cultures.

It killed the ovarian cancer cells in two different ways -- through a self-destruction process called apoptosis and through autophagy in which cells digest themselves, the researchers told a meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research."

Soy may prevent breast cancer, study finds - Yahoo! News

Soy may prevent breast cancer, study finds - Yahoo! News: "-

Women who eat lots of soy foods appear to have a lower risk of breast cancer, but the benefits may come from health habits that go along with eating soy and not from supplements, researchers said on Tuesday.

Teams at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore and Georgetown University in Washington looked at 18 different population-based studies of soy and breast cancer. They found an overall relative reduction of 14 percent in breast cancer risk in Caucasian women who ate soy, they reported in Tuesday's issue of the Journal of the
National Cancer Institute."

BBC NEWS | Health | High meat diet 'can stress baby'

BBC NEWS | Health | High meat diet 'can stress baby':

"High protein, low carbohydrate diets should be avoided during pregnancy as they can lead to more stressed offspring, research suggests.

A UK team followed a group of 86 children born in 1967-8 to mothers who were told to eat a pound of red meat a day to avoid pregnancy complications.

The study found the more meat the mother ate, the higher the levels of stress hormone cortisol in the child."

Oatmeal - Everything You Wanted to Know about Oats

Read the rest of the article! but here is a look in...

Oatmeal - Everything You Wanted to Know about Oats:

"Oats are the third leading cereal crop produced in the United States (after wheat and corn) and the fourth most important crop world-wide. They were once considered a weed which grew right with the barley and wheat. One day farmers decided to 'join 'em rather than fight 'em,' and oats started being planted as a crop by itself. It fares best in cool, moist climates, which is why they are such a popular staple of the British Isles like Scotland, Ireland and Wales. The grain was introduced into the Americas in 1602 by a sea captain who planted them in one of the islands off the coast of Massachusetts. They were a popular grain, but corn had a better yield per acre crop, so their popularity wasn't as great as corn. Today, nearly half of the world's oat crop--more than 4 billion bushels a year--is grown in the United States and Canada."

Portfolio Diet: Tough to Stay Invested In

Well this one sure makes sense! :)

Portfolio Diet: Tough to Stay Invested In:

"can the Portfolio approach help even people who don't strictly follow this eating plan? To find out, Jenkins and his colleagues at the University of Toronto enrolled 66 adults with elevated blood cholesterol in a one-year study of the diet.

Participants were instructed to eat a mostly vegetarian diet rich in soy foods, almonds, fruit, vegetables, whole grains and beans, as well as some healthy oils and margarine made with plant sterols (substances proven to lower cholesterol). They were also advised to skip or limit fat-free and low-fat dairy products and were encouraged to forgo eggs as well as poultry, fish and lean meat. Those who continued to eat these foods were urged to limit them to three or fewer meals a week.

The study found a direct link between how closely participants followed the portfolio plan and how much their blood levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) improved. LDL is directly linked to heart disease risk."

The History of a Condiment

I just had some mustard and got to thinking about its history. A quick google search later and here we go:

The History of a Condiment:

"Although similar recipes for mustard paste appear as early as 42 AD, the use of mustard as a condiment was not widely practiced in either Greece or Rome. The Romans took the seed to Gaul, and by the ninth century French monasteries were bringing in considerable income from mustard preparations. By the13th century, mustard was one of the items offered by Parisian sauce-hawkers, who walked the streets at dinner peddling their savory wares."

Study: Tofu, Oatmeal Lower Cholesterol - Yahoo! News

Study: Tofu, Oatmeal Lower Cholesterol - Yahoo! News: "'People interested in lowering their cholesterol should probably acquire a taste for tofu and oatmeal,' said study co-author David Jenkins of the University of Toronto.

The study, published this month in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, was funded in part by almond promoters and a major food company."

BBC NEWS | Health | Solo running 'few brain benefits'

Mmm, I might agree with the first part, but teh second part? I would be surprised by it.

BBC NEWS | Health | Solo running 'few brain benefits': "When isolated rats ran for a long time, they did see the same brain benefits as their short-term runner peers - but only when they had been running for a much longer period.

Writing in Nature Neuroscience, the researchers led by Dr Elizabeth Gould, say: 'In the absence of social interaction, a normally beneficial experience can exert a potentially deleterious influence on the brain.'"

BBC NEWS | Health | Rejecting meat 'keeps weight low'

BBC NEWS | Health | Rejecting meat 'keeps weight low': "He also said: 'Contrary to the current popular views that a diet low in carbohydrates and high in proteins keeps weight down, we found that the lowest weight gain came in people with high intake of carbohydrate and low intake of protein.'

Obesity risks

He also stressed that, in line with current understanding, the highest weight gain came in people who did very little exercise.

'This confirms that the best way to prevent obesity is to combine a healthy diet with exercise,' he added."

ABC News: FDA: Whole Grains Must Be Better Labeled

ABC News: FDA: Whole Grains Must Be Better Labeled: "he U.S. Food and Drug Administration has announced this week that anything labeled as containing whole grains must contain a comparable amount of the fibrous, protein-dense and nutrient-rich portions of grains — the endosperm, germ and bran — in the same proportion normally present in the intact grain."

Temple Oranges

I have been so busy with the Hurricane relief trip that I forgot to mention, that it's Temple Orange Season. In my opinion there is no better juice orange. The season does not last long, so be sure to pick some up soon! You probably do not want to count on teh Temple as an eating oarnage as it is full of seeds.

Having a slightly longer season than the Temple Orange (especially across the various types of fruit) is the Tangelo. Tangelo's are largely seedless and nice and sweet. They too make a good juice (but not as good as the Temple ;) )

Top five new Items

It has been a big week for new items as several new products hit the our shelves.

The top five:

1. Kellogg's Strawberry Frosted-Mini Wheats are very good! I especially like them dry.
2. Clorox Anywhere--a cleaner that is claimed ot be safe enough to use around food or pets
3. Propel Water--new flavors (Mixed Berry and Mandarin Orange) and now with added calcium
4. Poland Spring Spring water with flouride
5. Welch's Lite Grape Juice--half the calories of normal grape juice. I can't wait to try it!

Heart Association says soy doesn't lower cholesterol much - The Boston Globe

Well then....

Heart Association says soy doesn't lower cholesterol much - The Boston Globe
"

An American Heart Association committee reviewed a decade of studies on soy's benefits and came up with results that are casting doubt on the health claim that soy-based foods and supplements lower cholesterol significantly.

The findings could lead the Food and Drug Administration to reevaluate rules that allow companies to tout a cholesterol-lowering benefit on the labels of soy-based food.

The panel also found that neither soy nor the soy component isoflavone reduced symptoms of menopause, such as hot flashes, and that isoflavones don't help prevent breast, uterine, or prostate cancer. Results were mixed on whether soy prevented postmenopausal bone loss."

On the plus side, while it mayor may not lower cholesterol, as a source of protein it is more ecologically efficient than meats, does not raise cholesterol, and does not lead to the slaughter of animals. Thus, it still gets my vote :)

Study: Low-Calorie Diet Keeps Heart Young - Yahoo! News

This study has been a long time coming. I htink most expected it, but it is hard to demonstrate.

Study: Low-Calorie Diet Keeps Heart Young - Yahoo! News: "This is the first study to demonstrate that long-term calorie restriction with optimal nutrition has cardiac-specific effects that (delay or reverse) age-associated declines in heart function,' said Luigi Fontana, lead author and assistant professor of medicine at Washington University in St. Louis.

The study will be published Tuesday in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology."