Fish oil capsules pack same omega-3 punch as fish - Yahoo! News

Fish oil capsules pack same omega-3 punch as fish - Yahoo! News:

"Fish oil capsules and fatty fish do an equally good job of enriching the blood and other body tissues with healthy omega-3 fatty acids, new findings suggest.

But the findings can't be interpreted to mean that capsules and fish are equally good for the heart, Dr. William S. Harris, who was involved in the research, told Reuters Health."

I am surprised at the headline....I have to agree with Dr. Harris.

Studies show yoga has multiple benefits - Yahoo! News

Studies show yoga has multiple benefits - Yahoo! News:

"Yoga induces a feeling of well-being in healthy people, and can reverse the clinical and biochemical changes associated with metabolic syndrome, according to results of studies from Sweden and India. Metabolic syndrome is a cluster of heart disease risk factors such as high blood pressure, obesity and high blood sugar."

And later in the same piece:

"In the second study, published online December 19 in BioMed Central Complementary and Alternative Medicine, Dr. Anette Kjellgren from the University of Karlstad, Sweden and colleagues evaluated the beneficial effects of yoga-like breathing exercises on healthy volunteers.....At the end of the study period, feelings of anxiety, stress and depression were significantly lower and levels of optimism significantly higher in the yoga group compared to the control group...probably due to an increase in antioxidants and lower levels of the stress hormone cortisol, they suggest."

High Meat Consumption Linked to Heightened Cancer Risk

High Meat Consumption Linked to Heightened Cancer Risk:

"Red and processed meats have been associated with an elevated risk with colorectal cancer. We investigated whether this association was also evident for cancers at other anatomic sites,' explained lead author Amanda Cross, an epidemiologist at the National Cancer Institute (NCI). 'This is the largest study to look at the effect of red and processed meat on multiple cancer sites, including rarer cancers, such as laryngeal and liver cancer.'"

Stockton Athletic Training: Sports Nutrition Newsletter: 12-02

Stockton Athletic Training: Sports Nutrition Newsletter:

"10 Foods Every Athlete Should Eat! By Nancy Brinch, MS, RD, LSW
1. Whole Grain Bread"

High Quality Walnut Crop Moves Into Market: Financial News - Yahoo! Finance

High Quality Walnut Crop Moves Into Market: Financial News - Yahoo! Finance:

"Walnuts are high on the radar because over 14 years of clinical research has increasingly shown walnuts to be good for the heart, bones and even aid in weight management and the prevention of type 2 diabetes. Unique among nuts, with high concentrations of Omega-3 fatty acids, antioxidants, and important polyunsaturated fats, research is showing that a handful of walnuts a day can provide very important health benefits,” says Dennis Balint, executive director of the Walnut Marketing Board."

Bolthouse Farms "C-Boost Fruit Smoothie"

You just have to try this. It is delicious!!

Bolthouse Farms "C-Boost Fruit Smoothie":

"You'll find that our C-Boost not only helps promote a healthy Immune System but that it's also incredibly delicious. It tastes like a smoothie that you might find while on vacation in the Caribbean. It's thicker, smoother and fresher tasting, almost to the point where it tastes like is was just blended. This delicious flavor is likely to be new to your palate. That's because it's blended with Acerola Cherries and Camu Camu; fruits primarily grown and enjoyed in the tropics. We hope you find the taste as enjoyable as we have."

Cholesterol and Exercise - Watch WebMD Video

Cholesterol and Exercise - Watch WebMD Video: " You don’t have to sweat buckets to lower your cholesterol. We hit the gym to find the best way to lower your numbers."

Dark Chocolate Fights Heart Woes

Dark Chocolate Fights Heart Woes: From WebMD

"There'€™s more good news for chocolate lovers. A Japanese study suggests that dark chocolate can improve blood flow to heart muscle. That'€™s important because improved coronary blood flow mitigates the risk of chronic chest pain, or angina, and heart attacks, says Yumi Shiina, PhD, of Chiba University in Chiba, Japan."

Medical News: AHA: Energy Drinks Amp Up Blood Pressure - in Meeting Coverage, AHA from MedPage Today

Medical News: AHA: Energy Drinks Amp Up Blood Pressure - in Meeting Coverage, AHA from MedPage Today:

"Energy drinks boost blood pressure in even the young and healthy people and may leave hypertensive adults more charged up than they bargained for, researchers said here. Consumption of two energy drinks a day increased systolic blood pressure by 10 mm Hg and heart rate by five to seven beats per minute, according to a small study reported at the American Heart Association meeting."

A very important point late in the article:

"...the main compounds implicated in the cardiovascular alterations -- caffeine and taurine -- are consistent ingredients across brands. This suggests the findings are likely generalizable across energy drinks, though not to sports drinks, which typically do not have caffeine, Dr. Kalus said."

This is an early study (in fact it is not yet published) but definitely an expected result.

High-fat Atkins diet damages blood vessels: study - Yahoo! News

High-fat Atkins diet damages blood vessels: study - Yahoo! News:

"The high-fat Atkins diet can cause long-term damage to blood vessels, as well as some of the inflammation linked with heart and artery disease, U.S. researchers reported on Tuesday.

In contrast, low-fat regimens such as the South Beach and Ornish diets lowered cholesterol and appeared to benefit artery function, they said.

"

Boiled Peanuts Whip Other Peanuts

From WebMD:
Boiled Peanuts Whip Other Peanuts:

"Boiled peanuts may be the cream of the crop, besting raw peanuts or roasted peanuts in terms of nutrition. That news comes from food scientists in Alabama, who ought to know about boiled peanuts, which are a Southern snack. The researchers -- who included graduate student Yvonne Chukwumah and Lloyd Walker, PhD, of Alabama A&M University -- bought peanuts at a grocery store. Their shopping list included raw Virginia peanuts in the shell, raw peanut kernels, and commercially boiled peanuts."

Boiled peanuts are also great tasting!

10 Health Benefits of Pumpkin Seeds

10 Health Benefits of Pumpkin Seeds: "This Halloween, don't forget to save those pumpkin seeds"

Thanks to SportsGeezer for this link.

BBC NEWS | Health | 'Clear smoking link' to cot death

BBC NEWS Health 'Clear smoking link' to cot death:

" The risk increased if the baby was exposed once born Almost nine out of ten
mothers who lose a baby to cot death smoked while pregnant, say researchers. The
Bristol University team said the risk also increased with every hour babies were
exposed to passive smoke after birth. The risk increased if the baby was exposed
once born Almost nine out of ten mothers who lose a baby to cot death smoked
while pregnant, say researchers. The Bristol University team said the risk also
increased with every hour babies were exposed to passive smoke after birth. "

Home Spray Cleaners Could Raise Asthma Risk

Home Spray Cleaners Could Raise Asthma Risk: "

Using household cleaning sprays and spray air fresheners just once a week can increase your risk of developing asthma, new research suggests. Whether or not the cleaning products are a direct cause of asthma, or simply a trigger for people who already have the disease, isn't clear from this epidemiological study."

ScienceDaily: Potatoes Chock Full Of Phytochemicals

ScienceDaily: Potatoes Chock Full Of Phytochemicals: "

Using a new analytical method, ARS plant geneticist Roy Navarre and colleagues in Washington State and Oregon have identified 60 different kinds of phytochemicals and vitamins in the skins and flesh of 100 wild and commercially grown potatoes. The team's analysis of Red and Norkotah potatoes, for example, revealed that the spuds' total dietary-phenolics content rivaled that of broccoli, spinach and brussel sprouts. These phenols included the flavonoids subgroup, which may play a role in helping diminish cardiovascular disease, respiratory problems and certain cancers, notes Navarre, at the ARS Vegetable and Forage Crops Research Unit in Prosser, Wash."

ScienceDaily: Red Wine And Grape Juice Help Defend Against Food-borne Diseases, Study Suggests

ScienceDaily: Red Wine And Grape Juice Help Defend Against Food-borne Diseases, Study Suggests:

"Researchers Azlin Mustapha, associate professor of food science in the College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources, and Atreyee Das, a doctoral student in the food science program, are conducting on-going studies examining the inhibitory effects of numerous types of red wines, as well as grape juice, against pathogens and probiotic bacteria, which naturally reside in the intestinal tract and can be beneficial in combating, among other things, high cholesterol and tumors. They found that red wines – Cabernet, Zinfandel and Merlot in particular – have anti-microbial properties that defend against food-borne pathogens and don’t harm naturally useful bacteria like probiotic bacteria."

CTV.ca | Too much sleep as harmful as not enough: study

CTV.ca | Too much sleep as harmful as not enough: study:

"Lack of sleep can more than double the risk of death from heart disease, according to a large British study, among the first to link duration of sleep and mortality. But too much sleep can also be harmful, according to the study, which was released on Monday."

Sun basking to add years to life-Health/Science-The Times of India

Sun basking to add years to life-Health/Science-The Times of India:

"In an intriguing new study, a team of European researchers have found that intake of Vitamin D supplement every day could make you live longer. The conclusion, published in the journal Archives of Internal Medicine on Tuesday, was reached after studying the impact of Vitamin D on 57,000 people. Till now, Vitamin D was known to be good for bones and teeth."

Wow!

Citrus sodas' caffeine content tops cola - Yahoo! News

Citrus sodas' caffeine content tops cola - Yahoo! News:

"I don't really take a stand on whether caffeine is good or bad, but I do think the consumer has a right to know what they're getting,' said Leonard Bell, one of two food researchers who conducted the study at Auburn University."

Well said.

Doctor warns consumers of popcorn fumes - Yahoo! News

Doctor warns consumers of popcorn fumes - Yahoo! News:

"A pulmonary specialist at Denver's National Jewish Medical and Research Center has written to federal agencies to say doctors there believe they have the first case of a consumer who developed lung disease from the fumes of microwaving popcorn several times a day for years."

Zero trans fat doesn't always mean zero - Yahoo! News

Zero trans fat doesn't always mean zero - Yahoo! News:

"Federal regulations allow food labels to say there's zero grams of trans fat as long as there's less than half a gram per serving. And many packages contain more than what's considered one serving. 'The problem is that often people eat a lot more than one serving,' said Dr. Dariush Mozaffarian of Harvard School of Public Health."

I stand by my advice: if it says hydrogenated anything, avoid it :) (Sorry manufacturers!)

Whole grains may lower odds of high blood pressure - Yahoo! News

Whole grains may lower odds of high blood pressure - Yahoo! News: "

Women who consumed the most whole grains had an 11-percent lower risk of high blood pressure than those with the lowest intakes. But the findings add to evidence of the cardiovascular benefits of whole grains such as oatmeal, bran and brown rice."

Household chemicals may be causing cat disease | Reuters

Household chemicals may be causing cat disease | Reuters:

"Although hyperthyroidism was a relatively rare disease 35 years ago, it has become a leading cause of death among U.S. pet cats. Symptoms include weight loss despite increased appetite, hair loss and irritability. Dye, a veterinarian, tied a spike in this disease to the introduction of PBDEs into homes as a flame retardant about 30 years ago. 'The increased use of these chemicals tracked the increased recognition of this syndrome in kitties,' Dye said. She believes dust from the chemicals may be ingested by cats as they groom themselves."

In case anyone needs a reason not to get new furniture.

Parents Are Warned on Cold Medicines - New York Times

Parents Are Warned on Cold Medicines - New York Times:

"...the Food and Drug Administration issued an advisory Wednesday warning parents never to give cough and cold medicines to children under the age of 2 unless instructed to do so by a doctor. The warning is part of a broad reassessment by the agency of the safety of the popular medicines, which have been blamed for hundreds of adverse reactions and a handful of deaths in children under the age of 2."

BBC NEWS | Health | Craving for junk food 'inherited'

BBC NEWS | Health | Craving for junk food 'inherited':

"Mothers who eat junk food during pregnancy may be condemning their children to crave the same diet, according to animal tests. Royal Veterinary College researchers found that when pregnant rats were fed a diet of biscuits, crisps and sweets, their babies ate more unhealthy food."

Red meat diet linked to colon cancer recurrence - Yahoo! News

Red meat diet linked to colon cancer recurrence - Yahoo! News:

"Colon cancer survivors with diets heavy in red meat and fatty foods are more than three times as likely to suffer a recurrence of their disease or die from it than those who avoid such foods, a study found."

and later:

"This study, published on Tuesday in the Journal of the American Medical Association, was the first to show how diet affects whether colon cancer returns in people previously treated for it, the researchers said."

"Healthy" fast foods not easier on the heart - Yahoo! News

"Healthy" fast foods not easier on the heart - Yahoo! News:

"So-called 'healthy' fast-food alternatives to the classic burger, fries, and soft drink, appear to have similar effects on the cardiovascular system, new research suggests...."

"...Dr. Tanja K. Rudolph....and colleagues measured the initial endothelial function and other markers of cardiovascular disease in 24 healthy volunteers (average age of 32 years) ...The 14 women and 10 men then ate one of three readily available fast food meals during one week, a different meal the second week and the remaining meal the third week."

While not a professional in anyway, if I were a reviewer I would ask for more than 24 data points (although the fact that it is the same person 3 times does help). With that small of sample, standard errors likely dwarf the differences that would be visible from a single meal (a study that looked at the cumulative effects might be more interesting, albeit more difficult.

The perils of a pot belly | the Daily Mail

The perils of a pot belly | the Daily Mail:

"Many experts now want waist circumference or waist-to-hip ratio, which indicates levels of abdominal fat, adopted as a more accurate guide than body mass index, which relates weight to height. Fat packed around the organs in the abdomen is more dangerous than fat on the hips because it's 'metabolically active', releasing more of the acids that raise heart disease risk."

Antioxidants Don't Appear To Reduce Risk Of Cardiovascular Events Among High Risk Women

Antioxidants Don't Appear To Reduce Risk Of Cardiovascular Events Among High Risk Women:

"Nancy R. Cook, Sc.D., of Brigham & Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, and team wrote that 'Antioxidants scavenge free radicals and limit the damage they can cause. Diets high in fruit and vegetable intake, and thus rich in such antioxidants, have been associated with reduced rates of coronary heart disease and stroke...."

BUT

"They detected no additional side effects among the women who took the active pills compared to those on a placebo, except for a slightly raised risk of stomach upset among the active beta carotene takers. The writers concluded "Overall, we found no benefit on the primary combined end point for any of the antioxidant agents tested, alone or in combination. We also found no evidence for harm"

Study: Early diet advice for kids sticks - Yahoo! News

Study: Early diet advice for kids sticks - Yahoo! News:

"The study of children in Finland found that those who were taught to focus on
healthy fats — those found in fish, nuts, seeds and oils from plants — had
slightly lower cholesterol levels compared to those who ate an unrestricted
diet. The researchers have been following the 1,062 children since the age of 7
months. "

WHFoods: Can you tell me more about chlorophyll, including what foods it can be found in and the effect that cooking has upon it?

WHFoods: Can you tell me more about chlorophyll, including what foods it can be found in and the effect that cooking has upon it?:

"Research on the health benefits of chlorophyll has focused on the area of cancer (including treatment and prevention). This research got underway when damage to genes (or more precisely, to the genes' DNA) by carcinogenic substances called aflatoxins (or more precisely aflatoxin B1, or AFB1), was found to be prevented by chlorophyllin. Chlorophyllin is a derivative of chlorophyll in which the magnesium in its center is removed (usually by placing it in an acid bath in a science lab) and replaced with copper.

Research studies in humans have found that damage to DNA by aflatoxin can be decreased as much as 55% through supplementation with chlorophyllin at 100 milligrams, three times a day, for four months. This amount of chlorophyllin, 300 milligrams per day, is the same amount of chlorophyll found in one weighted ounce of spinach (a little over 1/2 cup of chopped raw spinach). Although research is still in the early stage, prevention and treatment of liver cancer, skin cancer, and colon cancer are all being investigated in relationship to intake of chlorophyll-containing vegetables and supplementation with chlorophyllin.

Interesting. Maybe chlorophyll is more important than most had thought. Stay tuned.

Caffeine Protects Thinking And Memory In Older Women

Caffeine Protects Thinking And Memory In Older Women:

"New research by scientists in France and Portugal suggests that drinking caffeine may help protect thinking and memory skills in older women.

The study is published in Neurology, the journal of the American Academy of Neurology (AAN).

Study author Dr Karen Ritchie, of INSERM, the French National Institute for Health and Medical Research, in Montpellier, France, said:

'Caffeine is a psychostimulant which appears to reduce cognitive decline in women.'"

Marginal Revolution: Twinkie, Deconstructed

Marginal Revolution: Twinkie, Deconstructed:

Yeah I know twinkies get a bad rap, but sort of deserved too! From a very cool econ blog the Marginal Revolution.

Caffeine And Exercise May Prevent Skin Cancer

Caffeine And Exercise May Prevent Skin Cancer: "

A new US study based on laboratory mice suggests that drinking low to moderate amounts of caffeine and exercising regularly protects the skin from damaging ultraviolet rays known to cause skin cancer. The caffeine and exercise appear to work together to kill off precancerous skin cells whose DNA has been damaged by ultraviolet B (UVB) rays. The discovery is yet to be tested in humans."

Which is consistent with finding of tea and skin cancer as well.

1 Daily Soda May Boost Heart Disease

1 Daily Soda May Boost Heart Disease:

"Drinking just one soft drink a day -- whether diet or regular -- may boost your risk of getting heart disease, a new study shows.

That is because a soda habit increases the risk of developing a condition called metabolic syndrome, according to the new research, and that in turn boosts the chance of getting both heart disease and diabetes."

I am a bit skeptical. Sure pop (soda) is not good for you, but I guess I would like to see more research on it before I say more.

Top Heart-Healthy Foods: Best Foods for Cardiovascular Health

Top Heart-Healthy Foods: Best Foods for Cardiovascular Health:

"'There really is an abundance of fruits and vegetables in many colors, shapes, sizes that are good for your heart,' says Julia Zumpano, RD, LD, a dietitian with the Preventive Cardiology Center at The Cleveland Clinic. 'You can definitely reduce your risk of developing cardiovascular disease by eating these foods every day.'

Indeed, fresh produce provide the cornerstone for a heart-healthy diet because they help wipe out free radicals in the bloodstream, protecting blood vessels.

It's what Zumpano calls 'the whole-foods diet. You want everything to be in its natural form, as it comes from the ground, the less processed the better"

Given all the recent studies, maybe we should add "we hope" to this ;)

Key to a long life -- less insulin in the brain - Yahoo! News

Key to a long life -- less insulin in the brain - Yahoo! News:

"Good, old-fashioned diet and exercise might keep you young by reducing the action of insulin in the brain, researchers reported on Thursday."

Very interesting! And it does seem to make good sense...once again the Barry Sears Zone Diet (and really any diet tied to the Glycemic Index) seems to be quite prophetic.

Low-fat, high-produce diet doesn't cut breast cancer return - CNN.com

Over the past year we have seen studies suggest that vitamins do or do not work. That tomatoes may or may not help. That tea is good for you or not. So while not unexpected, I was somewhat disappointed when I read the following:

Low-fat, high-produce diet doesn't cut breast cancer return - CNN.com:

"...study found no benefit from a mega-veggies-and-fruit diet over the U.S.-recommended servings of five fruits and vegetables a day -- more than most Americans get....

The study appears in Wednesday's Journal of the American Medical Association.

It sends us back to the drawing board,' said Susan Gapstur of Northwestern University's Feinberg School of Medicine, who wasn't involved in the new study but co-wrote an accompanying editorial in the journal.

'Should we really have focused on dietary components like fruits, vegetables and fat?' Gapstur asked. 'Or should we be focusing, in addition to diet, on lifestyle factors including physical activity and weight?""

From Time.com:

"Appearing in this week's issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), the study, called the Women's Healthy Eating and Living (WHEL) Randomized Trial, found that diets very high in fruits and vegetables do not appear to reduce the risk of breast cancer recurrence. This latest paper is one of several recent inquiries into the role of diet in cancer risk. Despite the widely held belief that the right diet can help fight cancer, recent findings have failed to definitely prove that."

It does get frustrating. What do we know? Sometimes it seems like we are not much better than we were centuries ago. I was thinking that when reading the tea study yesterday (specifically does that open up the whole mess of it not only being what you eat/drink, but also when, with what other foods, etc. Talk about a research nightmare!).

Tea research: good,bad, or neutral?

The Washington Post has a well-written piece on tea. It comments on both sides of the issue (namely tea is good for health or tea has no benefits other than great taste).

Sally Squires - Tea -- Plenty of It -- May Do the Body Good - washingtonpost.com:

"Tea has big possibilities,' says Bukowski, who has spent 15 years studying the ancient beverage. 'But we have a long way to go before we can confirm the health benefits....One substance in tea, the tongue-twisting epigallo-catechin gallate (EGCG), appears to reduce psoriasis, prostate cancer and colon tumors (at least in animals) and is now an ingredient in a growing number of foods, beverages and dietary supplements. But that's just one of the components of tea that may have health benefits."

On the other hand, once again there is more evidence that mixing milk with your tea may cancel at least some of the health benefits. (This is from FreeMarketNews but he is quoting a story I could not find, so ???).

""In a study published in the European Heart Journal, subjects were given either a pint of black tea or the same amount of hot water. Of those who were given tea, half drank it straight, while the other half had it with milk. The researchers discovered that blood flow to the forearms increased noticeably in those who drank the tea straight, but those who had either hot water or tea with milk saw no such benefit."

FTR, Chai Soy Milk in tea is unreal good, and most likely would not have the same issues with casein.

Tomato study yields confusing results

Tomato study yields confusing results:

"'(The) review found no evidence that tomatoes reduced the risk of lung, colorectal, breast, cervical or endometrial cancer. However, there was very limited evidence for associations between tomato consumption and reduced risk of prostate, ovarian, gastric and pancreatic cancers.'

That's faint praise."

It really has been a bad time of late for vitamins and even vegetables. Hard to say much with certainty, well except that all seems uncertain.

WHFoods: Blueberries

With fresh blueberries in stores this week, it is a great time to remind everyone of the benefits of blueberries.

WHFoods: Blueberries:

"Blueberries are literally bursting with nutrients and flavor, yet very low in calories. Recently, researchers at Tufts University analyzed 60 fruits and vegetables for their antioxidant capability. Blueberries came out on top, rating highest in their capacity to destroy free radicals"

CTV.ca | Low fruit intake may cause asthma problems: study

CTV.ca | Low fruit intake may cause asthma problems: study:

"Teenagers who are not eating fruit and fish may be making themselves more susceptible to asthma and other respiratory problems, according to a new study.

The study, published in the July issue of CHEST, the peer-reviewed journal of the American College of Chest Physicians (ACCP), was based on work by researchers from the Harvard School of Public Health and Health Canada."

NRDC: Too Good To Throw Away - Chapter 1

I have wanted to do this for a while, so will take Live Earth as the excuse to post it today.

NRDC: Too Good To Throw Away - Chapter 1:

"...using recycled materials reduces the need to extract, process, refine, and transport timber, crude petroleum, ores, etc., into virgin-based paper, plastics, glass, and metals, recycling lessens the toxic air emissions, effluents, and solid wastes that these manufacturing processes create. It is virtually beyond dispute that manufacturing products from recyclables instead of from virgin raw materials -- making, for instance, paper out of old newspapers instead of virgin timber -- causes less pollution and imposes fewer burdens on the earth's natural habitat and biodiversity"

Organic food 'better' for heart

BBC NEWS | Health | Organic food 'better' for heart:

"Organic fruit and vegetables may be better for you than conventionally grown crops, US research suggests.

A ten-year study comparing organic tomatoes with standard produce found almost double the level of flavonoids - a type of antioxidant."

Wow! or double wow!

Study: Chocolate reduces blood pressure - Yahoo! News

Study: Chocolate reduces blood pressure - Yahoo! News:

"Here's some good and bad news for chocoholics: Dark chocolate seems to lower blood pressure, but it requires an amount less than two Hershey's Kisses to do it, a small study suggests. The new research from Germany adds to mounting evidence linking dark chocolate with health benefits, but it's the first to suggest that just a tiny amount may suffice."

How we can stop stress from making us obese

How we can stop stress from making us obese: "

“We have known for over a decade that there is a connection between chronic stress and obesity,” saidProfessor Herzog. “We also know that NPY plays a major role in other chronic stress-induced conditions,such as susceptibility to infection. Now we have identified the exact pathway, or chain of molecular events, that links chronic stress with obesity.”

“There is not much we can do about the increased levels of NPY caused by stress, but we can do somethingabout the da mage it causes. If we can interfere before it causes fat to amass, it could have a major impacton cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and cancer (which all have links with obesity).”"

Omega-3s May Help Prevent Blindness, Early Tests In Mice Show Omega-3 Fatty Acids May Curb Unhealthy Blood Vessel Growth In Eye - CBS News

Omega-3s May Help Prevent Blindness, Early Tests In Mice Show Omega-3 Fatty Acids May Curb Unhealthy Blood Vessel Growth In Eye - CBS News: "

WebMD) Omega-3 fatty acids may help prevent blindness by thwarting the growth of abnormal blood vessels in the eye.

That news appears in the advance online edition of the journal Nature Medicine."

Wow, I did not see this one coming. (sorry I couldn't pass up the pun ;) )

United Press International - Consumer Health Daily - Briefing

United Press International - Consumer Health Daily - Briefing:

"- A diet high in omega-3 fatty acids might improve the prognosis of men who are genetically prone to developing prostate cancer, says a U.S. study.

In mice that were engineered with a genetic defect that caused prostate cancer, a diet high in omega-3 fatty acids beginning at birth reduced tumor growth, slowed disease progression and increased survival, according to the study published online in the Journal of Clinical Investigation."

Look for Omega 3 on many products including SmartBalance Peanut Butter.

globeandmail.com: Vitamin D: Will it fight disease where others have failed?

globeandmail.com: Vitamin D: Will it fight disease where others have failed?:

"In the four-year study of 1,179 postmenopausal women published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, researchers found that those taking 1,110 IU of vitamin D a day were 60 per cent less likely to get cancer than their peers taking placebos. The women took vitamin D along with calcium.

Earlier studies suggested that the vitamin protects from breast, colorectal, lung and prostate cancers as well as diabetes, multiple sclerosis and rheumatoid arthritis. But the recent study is the first randomized, controlled trial - the most reliable form of clinical evidence - to substantiate that vitamin D is an important tool in fighting cancer."

Maybe, but before we jump in too deep, remember that vitamins in general have had very limited success. So???

ScienceDaily: Pesticides Choke Pathway For Nature To Produce Nitrogen For Crops

ScienceDaily: Pesticides Choke Pathway For Nature To Produce Nitrogen For Crops:

"a team of scientists reports that artificial chemicals in pesticides -- through application or exposure to crops through runoff -- disrupt natural nitrogen-fixing communications between crops and soil bacteria. The disruption results in lower yields or significantly delayed growth"

Interesting!! So the more they use, the more they need to stay even.

SportsGeezer: Yoga Boosts Leveling Neurotransmitter

SportsGeezer: Yoga Boosts Leveling Neurotransmitter:

"the L.A. Times tells us that yoga may boost levels of a neurotransmitter associated with regulating depression and anxiety disorders. The paper reports that researchers at Boston University School of Medicine and McLean Hospital in Belmont, Mass., used magnetic resonance spectroscopic imaging to measure levels of gamma-aminobutyric acid, or GABA, levels in the brains of eight regular yoga practitioners"

SportsGeezer is an awesome site!

China scientists "prove" tea can help fight obesity - Yahoo! News

China scientists "prove" tea can help fight obesity - Yahoo! News:

"Researchers spent five years studying obesity, with the focus on children, the China Daily said.

'They found that the polyphenol compound in tea -- especially Oolong tea -- can help obese people battle the bulge,' the newspaper said. 'Scientists have proved that drinking tea can help people lose weight.'

Guo Xirong, director of the Nanjing Institute for Paediatrics, particularly recommends Oolong tea, the newspaper said."

I have a tough time with the word "prove", but....

Study backs up warnings over second hand smoke - Yahoo! News

Study backs up warnings over second hand smoke - Yahoo! News:

"Even small amounts of secondhand tobacco smoke can damage a child's arteries, researchers reported on Monday, adding to the growing body of evidence on the harmful affects of exposure to smoking"

Omega-3 fatty acids reduce blood pressure: study - Yahoo! News

Omega-3 fatty acids reduce blood pressure: study - Yahoo! News:

"A diet with liberal servings of fish, nuts and seeds rich in nutrients called omega-3 fatty acids can help lower a person's blood pressure, according to a study released on Monday.

'A large percentage of people between ages 20 and 60 have a rise in blood pressure, and by middle age many have high blood pressure,' said Dr. Jeremiah Stamler, professor emeritus of preventive medicine at Northwestern University in Chicago, who worked on the study."

Nutty Perk for Women's Blood Pressure

Nutty Perk for Women's Blood Pressure:

"The study doesn't show why soy nuts were linked to lower blood pressure. But the researchers write that diets that include soy foods 'may be a practical, safe, and inexpensive' way to reduce blood pressure.

Larger studies should be done to confirm the findings, write the researchers, who included Francine Welty, MD, PhD. Welty is an associate professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School, preventive cardiologist at Boston's Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, and director of the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute's Specialized Center of Research in Vascular Injury, Repair, and Remodeling."

Exercise May Boost 'Good' Cholesterol

Exercise May Boost 'Good' Cholesterol:

"Chalk up another health benefit of aerobic exercise -- it may boost HDL ('good') cholesterol levels.

But brief bouts of exercise may not be enough.

It may take at least two hours per week of aerobic exercise such as walking, biking, or swimming -- preferably in sessions lasting for more than half an hour -- to get the HDL benefit."

Flaxseed, ginseng show benefit in cancer treatment - Yahoo! News

Flaxseed, ginseng show benefit in cancer treatment - Yahoo! News:

"Flaxseed slowed the growth of prostate tumors in men, while ginseng helped relieve the fatigue that cancer patients often feel, U.S. researchers reported on Saturday in two of the first scientifically rigorous looks at alternative medicine."

Interesting....Not definite yet, but interesting.

BBC NEWS | Health | Folic acid 'reduces stroke risks'

BBC NEWS | Health | Folic acid 'reduces stroke risks':

"Adding folic acid to their diet can cut a person's stroke risk by a fifth, cumulative evidence suggests."

Finally some good news for vitamins!

Study confirms heart benefits of whole grains - Yahoo! News

Study confirms heart benefits of whole grains - Yahoo! News:

"In a review of seven major studies, the researchers found that higher whole grain intake was consistently linked to a lower risk of heart disease and stroke. On average, adults who ate 2.5 servings of whole grains per day were nearly one-quarter less likely to develop cardiovascular disease than their peers who rarely consumed whole grains."

Study: More households forbid smoking - Yahoo! News

Study: More households forbid smoking - Yahoo! News

: "Smoking is forbidden in nearly three out of four U.S. households, a dramatic increase from the 43 percent of homes that prohibited smoking a decade ago, the federal government reported Thursday."

YEAH!!!

Do Microwave Ovens Kill Bacteria? - New York Times

Do Microwave Ovens Kill Bacteria? - New York Times:

"...microwaves heat food from the outside in, not from the inside out. That can result in those all too familiar cold spots, which act as small pockets where bacteria can thrive. A number of studies have linked this phenomenon to small outbreaks of food poisoning."

Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwich

Wow, who knew?

Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwich:

"Next time you have one you'll reduce your carbon footprint by saving the equivalent of 2.5 pounds of carbon dioxide emissions over an average animal-based lunch like a hamburger, a tuna sandwich, grilled cheese, or chicken nuggets.

That's about forty percent of what you'd save driving around for the day in a hybrid instead of a standard sedan.

If you were going to have a ham sandwich or a hamburger, you save the equivalent almost 3.5 pounds of greenhouse gas emissions."

WHFoods: Garbanzo beans (chickpeas)

WHFoods: Garbanzo beans (chickpeas):

"Garbanzos' contribution to heart health lies not just in their fiber, but in the significant amounts of folate and magnesium these beans supply. Folate helps lower levels of homocysteine....Garbanzos' supply of magnesium puts yet another plus in the column of its beneficial cardiovascular effects. Magnesium is Nature's own calcium channel blocker. When enough magnesium is around, veins and arteries breathe a sigh of relief and relax, which lessens resistance and improves the flow of blood, oxygen and nutrients throughout the body."

FWIW: Try the Shurfine Organic Garbanzo beans. They are really good and lower in sodium than most other varieties. Also why not give hummus a chance? Makes great sandwiches or a dip!

Whole Grains Get Hearty Support

Whole Grains Get Hearty Support:

"May 11, 2007 -- ....People who eat 2.5 daily servings of whole grains are about one-fifth less likely to have heart disease than those who skimp on whole grains, a new research review shows."

Study: Tomatoes no defense against prostate cancer

Anyone else wondering if we know anything at all?

Study: Tomatoes no defense against prostate cancer:

"The FDA-approved and popularly held notion that antioxidants in tomatoes can prevent prostate cancer appears to be false, according to a large study done by the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center and National Cancer Institute.

'It was an hypothesis based on observational studies and the fact that cancer can be caused by oxidative damage to DNA,' said Ulrike Peters, a Fred Hutchinson scientist and lead author on the report published in the current journal of Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers and Prevention."

BBC NEWS | Health | Aspirin 'cuts pre-eclampsia risk'

Wow, Colon cancer, heart attacks, head aches, and now MAYBE reducing pregnancy problems. This thing called aspirin really might be a wonder drug ;)

BBC NEWS | Health | Aspirin 'cuts pre-eclampsia risk':

"Taking aspirin throughout pregnancy could reduce the risk of the potentially dangerous condition pre-eclampsia, a major study suggests.

A University of Sydney team analysed data on more than 32,000 women for a study published in The Lancet."

A Bit of Exercise Improves Fitness For Sedentary Heavy Women - CME Teaching Brief® - MedPage Today

A little is better than none!

A Bit of Exercise Improves Fitness For Sedentary Heavy Women - CME Teaching Brief® - MedPage Today:

"For postmenopausal women who are sedentary, overweight, or obese, peddling an exercise bike for just a few minutes a week can improve cardiorespiratory fitness, found researchers here.

But although riding the bike for 75 minutes a week, spread over three days, improved cardiorespiratory fitness, most other cardiovascular risk factors held firm"

Mega Multivitamin Use Risks Prostate Cancer - CME Teaching Brief® - MedPage Today

Mega Multivitamin Use Risks Prostate Cancer - CME Teaching Brief® - MedPage Today:

"Men who take multi-vitamin supplements more than once a day are twice as likely to die of prostate cancer as men who never take supplements, researchers confirmed."

This is just another study drawing into question the use of antioxidant vitamins. Why? No one knows for sure but one suggested reason in the medpage article:

""Reactive oxygen species in moderate concentrations are essential mediators of reactions by which the body gets rid of unwanted cells. Thus, if administration of antioxidant supplements decreases free radicals, it may interfere with essential defensive mechanisms for ridding the organism of damaged cells, including those that are precancerous and cancerous.""

Very interesting. Stay tuned.

Long walks in the country thought to help depression

Long walks in the country thought to help depression:

"A new study by a leading mental health charity in England and Wales has found that taking long walks in the country could help alleviate symptoms of depression. The study, by Mind, said that the findings proved 'ecotherapy' was helpful in mental health problems."

Daily Aspirin May Reduce Colon Cancer Risk - Forbes.com

Daily Aspirin May Reduce Colon Cancer Risk - Forbes.com:

"A daily dose of 300 milligrams of aspirin taken for 10 years can cut colon cancer risk by as much as 74 percent, a new British study suggests.

But the risks associated with taking that large a dose of the pill might not be worth it for most people, the researchers warn. For that reason, aspirin may only prove helpful for those at high risk for the disease. The report is published in the May 12 issue of The Lancet."

FTC says milk ads under fire are ending - Yahoo! News

FTC says milk ads under fire are ending - Yahoo! News:

"WASHINGTON - An ad campaign that suggested milk can help people lose weight is ending, the Federal Trade Commission told a doctors' group that had complained."

DIET: Thin people may be fat inside - Yahoo! News

DIET: Thin people may be fat inside - Yahoo! News:

"'Being thin doesn't automatically mean you're not fat,' said Dr. Jimmy Bell, a professor of molecular imaging at Imperial College, London. Since 1994, Bell and his team have scanned nearly 800 people with MRI machines to create 'fat maps' showing where people store fat.

According to the data, people who maintain their weight through diet rather than exercise are likely to have major deposits of internal fat, even if they are otherwise slim. 'The whole concept of being fat needs to be redefined,' said Bell, whose research is funded by Britain's Medical Research Council"

Tea drinkers may have lower skin cancer risk - Yahoo! News

Tea drinkers may have lower skin cancer risk - Yahoo! News:

"In a study of nearly 2,200 adults, researchers found that tea drinkers had a lower risk of developing squamous cell or basal cell carcinoma, the two most common forms of skin cancer.

Men and women who had ever been regular tea drinkers -- having one or more cups a day -- were 20 percent to 30 percent less likely to develop the cancers than those who didn't drink tea"

Have you had your yogurt?

Bryers is on sale this week and I noticed that many of their containers. Take a look:

Welcome to BreyersYogurt.com:

"Probiotics are living microorganisms normally found in certain areas of the body, primarily the digestive tract. Humans are not born with them; we accumulate them in the gut from birth and throughout life.

Unlike the harmful bacteria that cause infections and trigger allergic reactions, probiotics actually do the opposite—they protect against harmful bacteria, in addition to helping with the many tasks involved in digestion. Probiotic bacteria even produce their own natural antibiotics, called bacteriocins, which destroy bad bacteria."

Food Prep May Be as Important as Ingredients Themselves - Forbes.com

Food Prep May Be as Important as Ingredients Themselves - Forbes.com:

"The methods used to produce or cook food may have as much impact on your health as the actual food, U.S. researchers report.

Grilled, fried or broiled animal products such as meats and cheeses contain a class of toxins called 'advanced glycation end products' (AGEs), which have been linked to inflammation, insulin resistance, diabetes, vascular and kidney disease, and Alzheimer's disease, say a team from the Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York City."

and later:

"The study was published in the April issue of the Journal of Gerontology: Medical Sciences."

globeandmail.com: Single fatty meal drives up blood pressure

globeandmail.com: Single fatty meal drives up blood pressure: "

Eating high-fat meals can leave you more prone to stress and its damaging effects on the heart, according to a new Canadian study.

In fact, a single fatty meal like eggs, sausages and hash browns can drive up blood pressure and damage blood vessels, even compared to a sugary meal of cereal, juice and yogurt, researchers found"

Be sure to read the conversation on the right of the page. This stdey is not without its opponents.

Can aspirin prevent cancer? Jury's out - Yahoo! News

Can aspirin prevent cancer? Jury's out - Yahoo! News

"Thun and colleagues at the cancer society wondered if many of those earlier studies used too low a dose of aspirin to have an anticancer effect. So they examined adult-strength aspirin — 325 mg or more — in a study tracking more than 140,000 people.

Taking an adult-strength aspirin daily for at least five years was associated with a 30 percent lower risk of colorectal cancer, a 20 percent lower risk of prostate cancer, and 15 percent less cancer overall, they reported last week in the Journal of the "Taking an adult-strength aspirin daily for at least five years was associated with a 30 percent lower risk of colorectal cancer, a 20 percent lower risk of prostate cancer, and 15 percent less cancer overall, they reported last week in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute."

That's not proof of aspirin's benefit, either, but it does suggest that clinical trials start looking at higher doses to tease out an answer."

Interesting without any real answers...Stay tuned!

FOXNews.com - Study: Low-Salt Diet Good for Your Heart - Health News | Current Health News | Medical News

FOXNews.com - Study: Low-Salt Diet Good for Your Heart - Health News | Current Health News | Medical News:

"In an extended follow-up of two rigorously designed trials, people who reduced their dietary sodium while participating in the studies saw 25 percent reductions in heart disease and stroke risk 10 to 15 years later, compared with people who ate their usual diets.

Most people in the intervention arm of the studies -- where participants reduced the sodium in their diet -- lowered their sodium intake by 25 percent to 30 percent, researcher Nancy Cook"

BBC NEWS | Health | Too much bacon 'bad for lungs'

BBC NEWS | Health | Too much bacon 'bad for lungs':

"Eating large quantities of cured meats like bacon could damage lung function and increase the risk of lung disease.

A Columbia University team found people who ate cured meats at least 14 times a month were more likely to have COPD - chronic obstructive pulmonary disease."

SSRN-Fuel Hedging in the Airline Industry: The Case of Southwest Airlines by David Carter, Daniel Rogers, Betty Simkins

SSRN-Fuel Hedging in the Airline Industry: The Case of Southwest Airlines by David Carter, Daniel Rogers, Betty Simkins

this case will be presented in MBA 610 (tues class)

Effect of broccoli, soy on cancer cells explained - Yahoo! News

Effect of broccoli, soy on cancer cells explained - Yahoo! News:

"Using cells in a lab dish, researchers at the University of California, Los Angeles, found that diindolymethane (DIM), a compound resulting from digestion of cruciferous vegetables, and genistein, an isoflavone in soy, reduce the production of two proteins needed for breast and ovarian cancers to spread."

Eat your veggies!! :)

Study adds data that vegetables reduce cancer risk - Yahoo! News

Study adds data that vegetables reduce cancer risk - Yahoo! News:

"Researchers at the National Cancer Institute queried men and women aged 50 and older about their diets, then followed participants for five years to record all diagnoses of head and neck cancer, which is the sixth-leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide.....The study found eating six servings of fruit and vegetables per day per 1,000 calories cut the risk of head and neck cancer by 29 percent compared to eating one and a half servings."

Scientists Say Dieting Does Not Work

How discouraging. However, my advice is to remember that diets do not work, lifestyle changes are always preferred. Secondly, any individual is not necessarily the average. Every study has outliers. Be the outlier!

Scientists Say Dieting Does Not Work:

"Scientists conducting a comprehensive review of dieting research have concluded that dieting does not work.

The study is published in the April edition of American Psychologist, the journal of the American Psychological Association.

Researchers at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), reviewed 31 long-term studies lasting between 2 to 5 years.

UCLA associate professor of psychology and lead author of the study, Traci Mann said:

'You can initially lose 5 to 10 percent of your weight on any number of diets, but then the weight comes back.'

'We found that the majority of people regained all the weight, plus more,' she added."

Aspirin underutilized for heart attack prevention - Yahoo! News

Aspirin underutilized for heart attack prevention - Yahoo! News:

"A new study finds that use of aspirin for the prevention of a first or second heart attack or stroke is very low, even among adults at increased risk for such events.

Among a nationally representative sample of 1,299 Americans aged 40 or older, overall only 41 percent reported regular aspirin use for cardiovascular prevention."

An aspirin a day....

Chocolate Lowers Blood Pressure

Chocolate Lowers Blood Pressure:

"April 9, 2007 -- A chocolate treat may be better than green or black tea at keeping high blood pressure in check.

A new study suggests that dark chocolate and other cocoa-rich products may be better at lowering blood pressure than tea.

Researchers compared the blood pressure-lowering effects of cocoa and tea in previously published studies and found eating cocoa-rich foods was associated with an average 4.7-point lower systolic blood pressure (the top number in a blood pressure reading) and 2.8-point lower diastolic blood pressure (the bottom number). But no such effect was found among any of the studies on black or green tea."

Pet Food Recall

Pet Food Recall--
As promised here is the list...

It does not appear that we have any. But that said, I still pulled the can's of Iams until further notice.

Mediterranean Diet Linked to Fewer Allergies

Mediterranean Diet Linked to Lower Pediatric Atopy - CME Teaching Brief® - MedPage Today:

"High adherence to the antioxidant-rich Mediterranean diet reduced risk of allergic rhinitis significantly (P<0.05) with modest benefit against asthma symptoms, said Paul Cullinan, M.D., of the Royal Brompton Hospital and National Heart and Lung Institute here, and colleagues.

Components of the diet, such as oranges, tomatoes, and nuts, significantly reduced wheezing and allergic rhinitis, they reported online in the journal Thorax."

Mercury in energy-saving bulbs worries scientists - Yahoo! News

Given the large number of the energy-saving bulbs that we have been selling, I figured I should at least mention this. I do think on net it is still a big improvement. (see last part of article)

Mercury in energy-saving bulbs worries scientists - Yahoo! News:

"The mercury content in the average CFL -- now about 5 milligrams -- would fit on the tip of a ballpoint pen, according to the U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency, and manufacturers have committed to cap the amount in most CFLs to 5 milligrams or 6 milligrams per bulb.

The majority of Philips Lighting's bulbs contain less than 3 milligrams, and some have as little as 1.23 milligrams, said spokesman Steve Goldmacher.

To prevent mercury from getting into landfills, the EPA, CFL makers and various organizations advocate recycling."

BBC NEWS | Health | Green tea 'may keep HIV at bay'

Wow...are claims for Green tea getting a bit carried away, or is it really that powerful?

BBC NEWS | Health | Green tea 'may keep HIV at bay':

"Scientists found a component called epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) prevents HIV from binding to immune system cells by getting there first.

Once EGCG has bound to immune system cells there is no room for HIV to take hold in its usual fashion.

However, experts said the joint UK and US work, which appears in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, was at a very preliminary stage...."It is not a cure, and nor is it a safe way to avoid infection, however, we suggest that it should be used in combination with conventional medicines to improve quality of life for those infected."

Study Links Beef to Lower Sperm Count

Study Links Beef to Lower Sperm Count:

"A new study suggests that men whose mothers ate lots of beef during pregnancy may have lower sperm counts than other men.

The researchers say residues of hormones given to beef to promote growth may be a factor, but that's not certain.

The beef industry disputes that theory."

iTWire - Healthy pizza dough? It’s in the prep work and materials!

iTWire - Healthy pizza dough? It’s in the prep work and materials!:

"By baking the dough longer the antioxidant levels went up by 60%. By baking it at higher temperatures the antioxidant levels went up by 82%. The levels depended on the type of wheat used and the type of antioxidant test used. In addition, the Moore team saw that letting the dough ferment up to 48 hours also added to the amount of antioxidants."

Blueberries 'protect against colon cancer' | the Daily Mail

Blueberries 'protect against colon cancer' | the Daily Mail:

"Blueberries could help prevent one of the most common cancers, a study has found. The berries - already hailed as an anti-ageing 'superfood' - contain a compound called pterostilbene which could fight colon cancer.

It is hoped they could be developed into a preventative pill with fewer side effects than commercial preparations."

'Good fat' OK for heart attack patients - Yahoo! News

'Good fat' OK for heart attack patients - Yahoo! News:

"NEW ORLEANS - A Mediterranean-style diet high in olive oil and other 'healthy' fats is just as good as the classic
American Heart Association low-fat diet for the 8 million Americans who have suffered a heart attack and want to prevent a repeat, new research suggests."

Chocolate improves blood vessel function: study - Yahoo! News

Chocolate improves blood vessel function: study - Yahoo! News:

"While the researchers cautioned against bingeing on bon bons, they said the findings of the trial were clear and called for larger such studies to confirm the results.

'In this sample of healthy adults, dark chocolate ingestion over a short period of time was shown to significantly improve (blood vessel) function,' said Dr. Valentine Yanchou Njike of Yale Prevention Research Center, a co-investigator of the study."

Americans Not Eating Enough Fruit And Vegetables Says CDC Report

Americans Not Eating Enough Fruit And Vegetables Says CDC Report:

"A report by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says that Americans are not eating enough fruit and vegetables.

The report reveals that across America no state is achieving national targets for fruit and vegetable consumption. And across the nation as a whole, the number of people eating the target daily amount of fruit and vegetables is only half what the government is aiming for by the year 2010.

The government campaign, Healthy People 2010, was started in 2000 and gives a set of 10-year targets for improving the health of Americans. One important area of the campaign is diet, and consumption of fruit and vegetables in particular. "

Cycling Machine Key To Giving Up

Cycling Machine Key To Giving Up:

"Exercise is one of the best ways for smokers to manage their cravings when they are trying to give up, according to the Exeter University study.

Researchers concluded that short bouts of exercise, lasting for as little as five minutes, could make all the difference.

And brisk walking could help reduce symptoms such as stress, anxiety and poor concentration, they found. "

BBC NEWS | Health | Early man 'couldn't stomach milk'

BBC NEWS | Health | Early man 'couldn't stomach milk':

"Analysis of Neolithic remains, in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, suggests no European adults could digest the drink at that time....

But intolerance to milk remains common in modern times, say nutritionists."

In order to digest milk, adult humans need to have a gene which produces an enzyme called lactase to break down lactose, one of the main sugars it contains."

BBC NEWS | Health | Vitamins 'could shorten lifespan'

BBC NEWS | Health | Vitamins 'could shorten lifespan':

"Taking certain vitamin supplements may adversely affect people's lifespan, researchers have suggested.

Millions worldwide use antioxidant supplements such as vitamins A and E, and beta-carotene.

Looking at dozens of previous research studies, Copenhagen University researchers suggested these appeared to raise, not lower, the risk of death."

and later:

""Our advice is to eat a wide range of foods in a balanced diet which can provide all of the nutrients the body needs to protect itself and combat diseases."

BBC NEWS | Health | Garlic 'does not cut cholesterol'

BBC NEWS | Health | Garlic 'does not cut cholesterol':

"Eating garlic - either raw or as a supplement - does not lower cholesterol levels, a US study has found.

There has been a belief that garlic could help, supported by positive lab and animal studies.

But a comparison of raw garlic and two garlic supplements in Archives of Internal Medicine found none of the three had any effect.

British experts said a healthy diet combined with plenty of exercise was the best way to prevent heart disease."

Painkillers linked to greater risk of heart attacks | Special reports | Guardian Unlimited

Painkillers linked to greater risk of heart attacks | Special reports | Guardian Unlimited:

"Dr Gary Curhan, who also worked on the study, said men who were advised by a doctor to take an aspirin a day to reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke should continue to take them. 'The benefit outweighs the risk,' he said."

Tahlequah Daily Press - Unrequited love

Tahlequah Daily Press - Unrequited love: "...nationally recognized day - Peanut Butter Lovers Day - Thursday, March 1."

How the World Works - Salon.com

Thought provoking article on food and its impact on the environment.

How the World Works - Salon.com:

"Some conclusions seem obvious, upon reflection. Locally grown isn't always the best answer. Tomatoes grown organically in a greenhouse next door to you may consume more fossil fuel energy than tomatoes shipped from hundreds of miles of away, if you take into account the energy used to produce the aluminum and glass that the greenhouse is built from. Organically grown tomatoes cut down on pesticide use, but may also require more land and water than 'conventional' tomatoes, depending on where they are grown.

Some observations are somewhat more subtle. Worried about the global warming impact of the fossil fuel consumed by the trucks that bring your tomatoes from hundreds of miles away to your local supermarket? In a life-cycle analysis, the couple of miles that you drive in your car to get to the supermarket and back does proportionally signficantly greater damage. This raises the possibility that it might be better for the world if you biked to the supermarket to pick up tomatoes grown far away, than drive to the nearest farmer's market to get tomatoes grown on the other side of the hill."

So shop locally! ;)

Aspirin in the news

From News-medical net

"According to new guidelines released by the American Heart
Association, almost all women are at risk of heart disease and doctors
should consider prescribing a daily aspirin for them."

Some Types Of Cocoa Could Improve Brain Function

Some Types Of Cocoa Could Improve Brain Function:

"A number of scientific studies suggest that some types of cocoa contain substances that could enhance blood flow in the brain and improve brain function.

An international panel of scientists presented their findings yesterday at the annual meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS).

The session was titled 'The Neurobiology of Chocolate: A Mind- Altering Experience?' It was sponsored by Mars Incorporated. The company has been sponsoring research on the nutritional and medical potential of cocoa's naturally occurring flavanols for the last 15 years"

CHICAGO SUN-TIMES :: Health :: Pregnant moms who eat fish have smarter kids: report

CHICAGO SUN-TIMES :: Health :: Pregnant moms who eat fish have smarter kids: report: "

"Women who eat seafood while pregnant may be boosting their kids' IQ in the process, according to new research in the Lancet.

The results were surprising, say the authors, and contradict American and British recommendations that pregnant women should limit seafood and fish consumption to avoid potentially high levels of mercury."

BBC NEWS | Health | No sleep means no new brain cells

BBC NEWS | Health | No sleep means no new brain cells: "Missing out on sleep may cause the brain to stop producing new cells, a study has suggested."

Study: Napping Regularly Fights Heart Disease - washingtonpost.com

Study: Napping Regularly Fights Heart Disease - washingtonpost.com: "A large new study has found that people who regularly took a siesta were significantly less likely to die from heart disease"

Do your body a favor with these incredible edibles

Do your body a favor with these incredible edibles:

"...put these 10 readily available foods on your grocery list today -- but do keep in mind that it takes more than 10 foods (even 10 terrific foods!) to make a healthy diet. Experts are quick to point out that variety is the spice of life

Good stuff! a top ten list of foods you should be eating!

Diet, exercise take off equal pounds, study finds - Yahoo! News

SHock! NOT!! I would like to see longer term results of KEEPING off the wieght. I bet exercise works better for that.

Diet, exercise take off equal pounds, study finds - Yahoo! News: "- Eating less and exercising more are equally good at helping take off the pounds, U.S. researchers said on Friday in a study that challenges many of the popular tenets of the multibillion dollar diet and fitness industry.

Tests on overweight people show that a calorie is just a calorie, whether lost by dieting or by running, they said."

BBC NEWS | Health | Microwave 'sterilisers' warning

BBC NEWS | Health | Microwave 'sterilisers' warning:

"Firefighters have warned of the dangers of zapping sponges and cloths in the microwave despite a study showing it could kill harmful bacteria.
....
The researchers said people should only try to microwave damp sponges."

BBC NEWS | Health | Fibre 'lowers breast cancer risk'

BBC NEWS | Health | Fibre 'lowers breast cancer risk':

"Pre-menopausal women who eat large amounts of fibre could halve their breast cancer risk, a UK study has suggested.

The University of Leeds researchers, who studied 35,000 women, found those who ate 30g of fibre a day had half the risk of those who ate less than 20g."

How microwave can beat the bugs in your kitchen - World - Times Online

How microwave can beat the bugs in your kitchen - World - Times Online:

"A team of environmental engineers from the University of Florida has found that two minutes in a microwave can sterilise most household sponges after use, killing more than 99 per cent of the harmful bacteria that cause illness.

In a study published this week in the American Journal of Environmental Health, the researchers soaked sponges and scrubbing pads in dirty water that contained faecal bacteria such as E. coli, viruses, protozoan parasites and bacterial spores. They then used a common household microwave oven to heat up the sponges. It took between four and ten minutes to kill all the spores, but everything else was killed after two minutes, they said"

Folic Acid Increases Mental Agility In The Elderly

Folic Acid Increases Mental Agility In The Elderly:

"Taking supplements of folic acid may significantly improve cognitive function in older men and women.

This is the conclusion of a Dutch study to be published in the Lancet.

The study was led by Jane Durga from the Wageningen University in The Netherlands."