Diet News and Research

Latest Diet News and Research

Initiative to lower amount of salt in American diet

The American Heart Association and the National Salt Reduction Initiative, a national collaboration led by the City of New York, share a common goal -- to gradually lower the amount of sodium (salt) in the American diet.

27 Apr 2010

Cell phone program to promote more physical activity

About two thirds of the American population is overweight or obese, putting them at higher risk for health problems such as heart disease, stroke, cancer and diabetes. The obesity epidemic in America is the result of poor eating habits, genetics, and a lack of exercise. It's therefore difficult for public health officials to get people to make a conscious effort to control their weight.

27 Apr 2010

Survey highlights need for continued education to reverse skin cancer epidemic in the U.S.

Results released today from a landmark national survey of dermatologists and consumers unveiled that there is a major gap between what dermatologists recommend and what Americans actually do when it comes to sun-safe behavior. This gap further highlights the need for continued education to reverse the skin cancer epidemic in the United States.

27 Apr 2010

Four unhealthy behaviors associated with increased risk of death when combined

Four unhealthy behaviors—smoking, lack of physical activity, poor diet and alcohol consumption—appear to be associated with a substantially increased risk of death when combined, according to a report in the April 26 issue of Archives of Internal Medicine, one of the JAMA/Archives journals.

27 Apr 2010

Study suggests potential ingredient in rice for prevention of cardiovascular diseases

Rice is generally thought to be a healthy addition to the diet because it is a source of fiber. However, not all rice is equally nutritious, and brown rice might have an advantage over white rice by offering protection from high blood pressure and atherosclerosis ("hardening of the arteries"), say researchers at the Cardiovascular Research Center and Department of Physiology at Temple University School of Medicine in Philadelphia.

27 Apr 2010

Black children with chronic kidney disease have severe anemia than white children: Study

Black children with chronic kidney disease have more severe anemia than white children even when they receive the same treatment, according to a multicenter study led by Johns Hopkins Children's Center to be published in the May issue of the American Journal of Kidney Disease.

27 Apr 2010

Military trauma transition units breed culture of drug abuse, depression

The New York Times reports on a Warrior Transition Battalion unit in Colorado used by the military to transition injured veterans back into the military or their home lives. "Created in the wake of the scandal in 2007 over serious shortcomings at Walter Reed Army Medical Center, Warrior Transition Units were intended to be sheltering way stations where injured soldiers could recuperate and return to duty or gently process out of the Army.

27 Apr 2010

Two new studies highlight benefits of drinking 100% fruit juice

Consumption of 100 percent fruit juice is closely linked to improved nutrient intake and overall diet quality in children and teens, according to new research presented yesterday at the Experimental Biology 2010 meeting.

27 Apr 2010

Mediterranean diet helps reduce risk of cognitive decline in older adults

Findings about what specific components of diets are most beneficial are frequently changing. However, an ongoing study of older adults shows evidence that one type of diet can help mitigate cognitive problems. An ongoing prospective study called the Chicago Health and Aging Project has shown that adherence to the Mediterranean diet can reduce the risk of cognitive decline with older age.

27 Apr 2010

Phytonutrient intake may help decrease risk for certain chronic diseases: Study

Topping that bowl of cereal with raspberries instead of strawberries, or saut-ing kale instead of spinach for dinner can boost phytonutrient intake, which may help decrease risk for certain chronic diseases, including cardiovascular disease, cancer and diabetes.

27 Apr 2010

Nearly 50% of adult U.S. population at risk from heart disease

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) released an alarming new report on Monday. According to the CDC report almost 50% of the adult population of the United States have chronic conditions which could lead to heart disease. The pre-existing diagnosed conditions included high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes.

27 Apr 2010

Caltech biologists offer new insight into causes of IBD and colon cancer

We are not alone-even in our own bodies. The human gut is home to 100 trillion bacteria, which, for millions of years, have co-evolved along with our digestive and immune systems. Most people view bacteria as harmful pathogens that cause infections and disease. Other, more agreeable, microbes (known as symbionts) have taken a different evolutionary path, and have established beneficial relationships with their hosts.

26 Apr 2010

Grape-enriched diet prevents risk factors for metabolic syndrome: Researchers

Scientists at the University of Michigan Health System are teasing out clues to the effect of grapes in reducing risk factors related to cardiovascular disease and metabolic syndrome. The effect is thought to be due to phytochemicals -- naturally occurring antioxidants - that grapes contain.

26 Apr 2010

Urging school children to pay attention to dairy intake may be too late to optimize their bone health: Research

We all know that eating a calcium-rich diet is important for keeping our bones healthy and strong. This concept is clearly on display in any elementary school cafeteria where the walls are decorated with colorful posters with celebrity icons encouraging children to make sure they drink milk every day.

26 Apr 2010

Chokeberry extract reduces weight gain in insulin-resistant animals

Chokeberry bushes have for centuries been residents of eastern deciduous forests where their bright red and dark purple fruits continue to be favorite snacks of local bird species. Native Americans have also traditionally eaten dried chokeberries and prepared teas from parts of the plant, and several domesticated varieties now grace contemporary lawns and gardens from coast to coast.

26 Apr 2010

Over 90% of seniors consume less vitamin D than currently recommended

According to legend, it was The Fountain of Youth that the famed Spanish explorer Ponce de Leon was seeking when he landed on the Floridian coast in 1513. It has long been said that he who drinks from the Fountain will have his youth restored. Without a doubt, the quest for eternal youth is as ancient as any pursuit. However, although we are now living longer than ever, there is now growing concern that quantity of years is not nearly as important as quality of those years.

26 Apr 2010

Overweight adolescent children tend to follow weight-control strategies of their parents: Study

When parents maintain a healthy body image and weight-control strategies, overweight adolescent children tend to follow their example, a new study reveals.

24 Apr 2010

New federally funded programs to address health disparities in underserved communities

The increasing number of minorities diagnosed with cancer has inspired a variety of initiatives at The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center focusing on minority health through research, education and community relations.

24 Apr 2010

Victoza produces greater reductions in A1C, FPG and body weight than Januvia: Study

Yesterday, The Lancet published online the results of the first study comparing the once-daily human GLP-1 analog, Victoza (liraglutide [rDNA] injection) with a DPP-4 inhibitor, Januvia. The 26-week trial showed that Victoza produced significantly greater reductions in A1C, fasting plasma glucose, and body weight than Januvia, with similar or better overall treatment satisfaction.

24 Apr 2010

Environmental factors may play bigger role in tumor development: BIDMC study

It is an accepted fact that genetics play a key role in a person's susceptibility to cancer, and that throughout life, mutations can cause damage to tumor suppressor genes further increasing the chances of developing cancerous tumors.

24 Apr 2010