Diet & Nutrition News and Research

Latest Diet & Nutrition News and Research

Where you live affects what you eat

People who live in poor, urban neighborhoods have less access to quality fruits and vegetables and to stores selling a larger variety of foods than those who live in higher-income neighborhoods, according to two studies being presented at the North American Association for the Study of Obesity (NAASO)'s Annual Scientific Meeting.

19 Nov 2004

Americans should keep taking vitamin E supplements

"To E or not to E," a question prompted by a controversial analysis released last week, is addressed by leading researchers and physicians who recommend that Americans keep taking vitamin E supplements in recommended amounts for overall health benefits.

18 Nov 2004

Low dietary intake of folate may be a risk factor for severe depression

Two studies published in the 2004 November- December issue of Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics suggest that dietary B vitamin complex has an important role as to the vulnerability to depression.

18 Nov 2004

NHS patients 'not fully engaged' with their own healthcare

NHS patients lag behind other western countries in actively involving patients and communities in healthcare, says an editorial in this week's BMJ.

18 Nov 2004

Eating apples may protect against Alzheimer's and Parkinsonism

A group of chemicals in apples could protect the brain from the type of damage that triggers such neurodegenerative diseases as Alzheimer's and Parkinsonism, according to two new studies from Cornell University food scientists.

18 Nov 2004

The passive smoking proposals, whilst welcome, do not go far enough

Commenting on the proposals in today's English Public Health White Paper, local hospital consultant and Deputy Chairman of the BMA's Board of Science, Dr Peter Maguire, said: "The passive smoking proposals, whilst welcome, do not go far enough to protect the health and lives of all workers.

16 Nov 2004

White Paper aims to reduce the number of people who smoke

Health Secretary John Reid today published Choosing Health – the Government’s White Paper on improving public health in England.

16 Nov 2004

Acetaminophen shows positive cardioprotective effects In heart attack, arrhythmia

Long an under-studied yet widely-used over-the-counter medication, acetaminophen over the last few years is becoming recognized for a range of potential therapeutic uses beyond headache and pain.

16 Nov 2004

What makes beer taste so darn good to men, but vile to most women?

What makes beer taste so darn good to men, but vile to most women? Some oral sensations are under genetic control and new research suggests that these influences on taste perception could help determine the risk of excess alcohol consumption.

16 Nov 2004

Being overweight or obese significantly impairs a persons' sex life

Obese people report sexual problems such as lack of desire, lack of enjoyment, avoiding sex and performance difficulty at a much higher rate than people of normal weight – in some cases, they are 25 times more likely to report problems, according to the Duke study.

16 Nov 2004

Breast cancer study seeks postmenopausal women

Researchers at RMIT University's Department of Food Science are recruiting healthy, postmenopausal women to volunteer for a study to see if diet and lifestyle can improve the treatment of breast cancer.

16 Nov 2004

Brain inflammation is a sign of autism

A new study by scientists at Johns Hopkins shows that brain inflammation is a sign of autism. The findings are reported in the online edition of Annals of Neurology, the scientific journal of the American Neurological Association.

15 Nov 2004

Low carb diets, like the Atkins and South Beach Diets, may be the best option for men who want to slim

New research, published in the BioMedCentral journal, Nutrition & Metabolism, shows that over 70% of men lost more weight and fat on a low carbohydrate diet, despite eating more calories.

14 Nov 2004

Better co-ordination crucial to help reduce maternal and child illness and death

The first of a series of articles looking at public health in complex emergencies (such as famine, population movement arising from civil conflicts and associated health problems) is published in this week’s issue of THE LANCET.

14 Nov 2004

Millions of people threatened by the diabetes time bomb

Millions of lives are threatened by the dual epidemics of diabetes and obesity that are bound to explode in this century, international diabetes and obesity organizations said today in the run up to World Diabetes Day.

11 Nov 2004

Most food stamp beneficiaries can’t afford heart-healthy food

Most food stamp beneficiaries can’t afford heart-healthy food options, according to a study of low-income, African-American-residents in a Boston neighborhood that was presented at the American Heart Association’s Scientific Sessions 2004.

11 Nov 2004

Obesity statistics are as bogus as weight-loss scams

The weight-loss industry is finding itself in the crosshairs of the Federal Trade Commission's "Operation Big Fat Lies" -- a crackdown on slimming down pills, powders and patches that are too good to be true. The Center for Consumer Freedom (CCF) recommends that grossly exaggerated statistics and hype from pharmaceutical and weight-loss companies about the nation's so-called "obesity epidemic" also be placed under the federal microscope.

10 Nov 2004