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Fri, 3 Sep 2010 12:37:33 -0400

by Michael Downey

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Wed, 30 Jun 2010 19:07:33 -0400

by Michael Downey

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Mon, 31 May 2010 19:02:21 -0400

by Michael Downey

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Fri, 30 Apr 2010 22:46:24 -0400

THIS DIET PROTECTS AGAINST ALZHEIMER’S

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Wed, 31 Mar 2010 23:08:50 -0400

WALNUTS MAY FIGHT PROSTATE CANCER

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Fri, 5 Mar 2010 02:23:44 -0500

by Michael Downey

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Fri, 5 Mar 2010 02:40:42 -0500

by Michael Downey

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Sun, 6 Dec 2009 13:09:40 -0500

Vitamin D Alleviates Multiple Sclerosis

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Sat, 31 Oct 2009 10:51:49 -0400

High-Fat Diets Damage Muscle

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Mon, 5 Oct 2009 12:44:59 -0400

by Michael Downey

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Tue, 1 Sep 2009 19:45:21 -0400

by Michael Downey

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Thu, 2 Jul 2009 13:17:59 -0400

Vitamin D Suggested for Cancer Patients

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Thu, 4 Jun 2009 12:31:58 -0400

by Michael Downey

VITAMIN D BOOSTS BRAIN POWER?

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Sat, 2 May 2009 22:35:35 -0400

by Michael Downey

BEANS FIGHT OFF PERIPHERAL ARTERY DISEASE

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Wed, 1 Apr 2009 19:02:55 -0400

VITAMIN D PREVENTS COLDS AND INFLUENZA

In the largest study yet of the association between vitamin D and respiratory infections, people with the lowest blood vitamin D levels reported having significantly more recent colds or cases of influenza. The risks were even higher for those with chronic respiratory disorders such as asthma.

Vitamin C has been used for the prevention of colds for decades but little scientific evidence supports its effectiveness. In contrast, evidence has accumulated that vitamin D plays a key role in the immune system. Wintertime deficiency of vitamin D, which the body produces in response to sunlight, has been implicated in the seasonal increase in colds and ‘flu, and previous small studies have suggested an association between low blood levels of vitamin D and a higher risk of respiratory infections.

The newest study analyzed blood levels of vitamin D from almost 19,000 adult and adolescents, selected to be representative of the overall U.S. population. A summary of the study can be found at: http://archinte.ama-assn.org/cgi/content/abstract/169/4/384

VITAMIN PREVENTS BABY BRAIN DISORDER

Researchers say taking a special vitamin supplement during pregnancy could prevent hydrocephalus (one of the most common birth brain defects) which involves excessive accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid in the cavities of the baby’s brain. Tests on rats showed that a combination of folates dramatically reduced the rates of hydrocephalus. In fact, they even seemed to work after the condition already had started to develop.

But the work, published in the March 2009 edition of the Journal of Neuropathology and Experimental Neurology, is still at an early stage. The team from the universities of Manchester and Lancaster hope to get permission to start clinical trials in pregnant women with babies diagnosed with hydrocephalus. The folate supplement itself is not currently available; so researchers are seeking the support of a company willing to produce it as a pill.

At present hydrocephalus affects one in 1,000 live births. There is no satisfactory treatment for it other than surgical diversion of the fluid through a tube, known as a shunt, from the brain to the abdomen or heart. However, shunts are permanent and prone to infection and blockage, which means patients may require several operations during their lifetime.

VEGETARIAN DIET PROTECTS AGAINST MOST CANCERS

A vegetarian diet may help to protect against cancer, a UK study suggests. Analysis of data from 52,700 men and women showed that those who did not eat meat had significantly fewer cancers overall than those who did. But surprisingly, the researchers also found a higher rate of colorectal cancer (a disease linked with eating red meat) among the vegetarians.

Writing in the March 16, 2009 issue of American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, the team said the findings warranted further research. Although it’s widely recommended that people eat five portions of fruit and vegetables a day to reduce their risk of cancer and other diseases, there is very little evidence looking specifically at a vegetarian diet.

The study suggests there might be some reduction in many cancers in vegetarians and fish-eaters. In the latest study, researchers looked at men and women aged 20 to 89 recruited in the UK in the 1990s. They divided participants into meat-eaters, fish-eaters, vegetarians and vegans.

During follow-up, there were fewer cancers than would be expected in the general sampling population, probably because they were a healthier than average group of people.

But there was a significantly lower incidence of all cancers among the fish-eaters and vegetarians compared with the meat-eaters.

For colorectal cancer, however, that trend was reversed with vegetarians having a significantly higher incidence of the condition than the other groups. The researchers were surprised at the finding, which contradicts previous evidence linking eating lots of red meat with this disease. The study doesn’t support the idea that vegetarians would have lower rates of colorectal cancer and this requires further study.

When you look at the detail of their diets, the meat-eaters, to which the vegetarians in this group were compared, are eating only moderate amounts of meat each day, well within the recommendations. So colorectal cancer may be found to be linked only to large intakes of meat.

Both groups also just about met the recommendation to eat at least five portions of fruits and vegetables a day.

NEWS NOTES

Canadian children deficient in omega-3? A study published in the March, 2009 issue of the Journal of Nutrition found that most Canadian children are deficient in Omega-3 EPA/DHA. The study found that 78 per cent of the children trialed were not receiving adequate amounts of Omega-3 EPA and DHA in their diets. Researchers from the University of Guelph in Ontario found that the median daily consumption of Omega-3 EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) was only 31.5 mg, in a sample group of four to eight year olds. In this study researchers used the suggested daily intake recommended by the Institute of Medicine which is only 90 mg of Omega-3 EPA/DHA per day. Even using this low recommendation level, the study shows that 78% of the sampled Canadian children were well below the recommended level. The study also notes that the recommendation by the American Dietician Association and the Dieticians of Canada is 351 mg of EPA/DHA per day. Based on this recommendation 90% of the children in the study were deficient in Omega-3 EPA/DHA.

Baby bottle chemical removed: The makers of babies’ bottles in the US are to remove a controversial chemical from their products, amid growing concern over its possible effects. The six manufacturers say they are reacting to consumer demand by removing Bisphenol A (BPA) from their bottles. There has been growing concern about the possible effects of BPA leaching into babies’ feed when bottles are heated. The current advice for parents is not to pour boiling liquid directly into bottles, not to microwave them or use scratched or worn ones. Research carried out at Exeter University found that adults with high levels of BPA in their system were more prone to heart disease and diabetes. In 2008, Canada formally declared BPA a hazardous substance and announced plans to ban the import or sale of bottles containing it.

Wine cuts esophagus pre-cancer? A glass of wine a day may lower the risk of developing a disorder called Barrett's esophagus, a condition of the lining of the passage running from the mouth to the stomach that can become cancerous. The study was published in the March 2009 issue of the medical journal Gastroenterology.

Green tea helps gums: Research in the March 2009 issue of the Journal of Periodontology shows that a cup of green tea per day may help keep gum disease at bay.

Obesity risk rivals smoking: Being severely obese is almost as hazardous to health as a lifetime of smoking, shortening life by a decade, a group of Oxford University experts has warned. Even moderate obesity cuts life expectancy by about three years, says the Clinical Trial Service Unit. The findings, published in March 2009 edition of The Lancet, come from data on almost a million people from around the world. Avoiding middle age spread could add years to life. (However, cigarette smoking is still the number one cause of cancer death.)

Sleep influences diabetes risk: Burning the candle at both ends during the working week could raise a person's risk of developing type 2 diabetes, New York researchers say. People who slept fewer than six hours a night were more likely to develop a condition that precedes diabetes than those sleeping for longer, they found. They said the study supported mounting evidence that cutting back on sleep can have a profound impact on health. The six-year study was presented March 12th at the American Heart Association conference.

Fat neck syndrome? Measuring the thickness of a person’s neck may provide as many clues to their risk of developing heart problems as measuring their waist, a study says. Researchers from the Framingham Heart Study found even those with relatively trim waistlines appeared to be at greater risk if they had larger necks. Risk was defined as having lower levels of “good” cholesterol for instance, or higher levels of blood glucose. The results were presented to a March 12th meeting of the American Heart Association.

PEA protein HELPs BLOOD PRESSURE, KIDNEY DISEASE

Very new research from Winnipeg, Manitoba, has just found that proteins in the common garden pea may provide a natural remedy against high blood pressure and chronic kidney disease (CKD). The pea protein could be used as a natural food product such as an additive or dietary supplement to help the millions of people worldwide that suffer from these conditions, suggested the researchers.

Rotimi Aluko, PhD, food chemist at the University of Manitoba in Winnipeg, presented the findings at the American Chemical Society’s 237th National Meeting which took place March 22 – 26 in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Hypertension or high blood pressure is a major risk factor for people with chronic kidney disease (CKD). Estimates suggest that the number of people with CKD is on the rise, now standing at 13% of North American adults. This compares with 10% in the 1990s. CKD is difficult to treat, and many patients progress to “end-stage” kidney disease and have to have dialysis or a kidney transplant.

Peas have long held prime position as “nutrition superstars.” They contain a healthy amount of protein, fibre and vitamins and come in a “low-fat, cholesterol-free package.”

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