World Governments Urged To Implement Vitamin A Programs For Young Children

After a meta-analysis of the results of 43 clinical trials involving 200,000 young children, British and Pakistani researchers are urging policymakers to provide vitamin A supplementation to children in low and middle income countries to prevent death and illness from conditions such as diarrhea and measles. Their analysis found vitamin A supplements reduced child mortality by 24 percent in low and middle income countries. These findings, they say, show that the benefits of vitamin A supplementation are conclusive, and further testing would be unethical. According to the authors, if the mortality risk for 190 million vitamin A deficient children were reduced by 24 percent, more than 600,000 lives would be saved each year.

"Vitamin A supplements for preventing mortality, illness, and blindness in children aged under 5: systematic review and meta-analysis", British Medical Journal, August 25, 2011

Advising People To Eat Cholesterol-Lowering Foods Has A Positive Impact

A study by Canadian researchers has found that people with high cholesterol who were advised to eat cholesterol-lowering foods for six months reduced their levels of bad cholesterol more than people who were advised to eat a low saturated fat diet. The 345 participants in the study received dietary advice on either a low saturated fat diet (control) or a cholesterol-lowering foods diet that included soy protein, nuts and plant sterols. The researchers found that low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels in the control diet dropped three percent (8 mg/dL) over six months. In the cholesterol-lowering foods diet, LDL-C levels dropped anywhere from 13.1 percent (24 mg/dL) to 13.8 percent (26 mg/dL).

"Effect of a Dietary Portfolio of Cholesterol-Lowering Foods Given at 2 Levels of Intensity of Dietary Advice on Serum Lipids in Hyperlipidemia", JAMA: The Journal of the American Medical Association, August 23, 2011

Milk Is Better Than Sports Drinks And Water At Warding Off Dehydration Among Active Children

A study funded by the Dairy Farmers of Canada has found that milk is more effective than sports drinks or water at countering dehydration in active children during hot summer weather. The researchers at Canada’s McMaster University said that milk is better because it is a source of high-quality protein, carbohydrates, calcium and electrolytes. In addition, milk replaces sodium lost during sweating and helps the body retain fluid. The study involved children ages eight to ten who exercised in a climate chamber, then drank different beverages. They were then measured for hydration. The unpublished study will be presented at a future medical conference.

"Milk better than water to rehydrate kids", McMaster University, August 17, 2011

High Folic Acid Intake Seems To Protect Against Colorectal Cancer

U.S. scientists who analyzed diet data on more than half a million Americans aged 50 to 71 found that, contrary to some suggestions, high intake of dietary or supplemental folate does not increase the risk of colorectal cancer. In fact, a higher total intake of folate was associated with a significantly lower risk of colorectal cancer. The study was launched to determine whether mandatory folic acid fortification of grain products might lead to adverse health consequences. It included more than eight years of follow-up data. However, the researchers suggested that because “the adenoma-carcinoma sequence” may take longer than ten years, more follow-up time is necessary.

"Pre- and postfortification intake of folate and risk of colorectal cancer in a large prospective cohort study in the United States", American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, August 03, 2011

Moderate Alcohol Intake Helps Protect From Weight Gain

"Alcohol consumption and body weight: a systematic review", Nutrition Reviews, July 26, 2011

Prunes Shown To Be Particularly Beneficial For Bone Health Among Older Women

After extensive testing of various fruits – including figs, dates, strawberries and raisins – U.S. researchers have found that dried plums (prunes) are particularly beneficial for bone health among older women. The researchers tested two groups of postmenopausal women for one year: one group ate 10 prunes (100 g) a day; the second control group ate 100 g of dried apples. All participants took 500 mg of calcium and 400 IU of vitamin D daily. The prune group had significantly higher bone mineral density in a forearm bone and spine. Dried plums apparently suppressed the rate of breakdown of bone, which exceeds the rate of new bone growth as people age.

"Comparative effects of dried plum and dried apple on bone in postmenopausal women", British Journal of Nutrition, May 31, 2011

Study Shows Consumers Worldwide Are Warming Up To Omega-3

"Omega-3 Awareness on the Rise", Grocery Headquarters Magazine, August 17, 2011

Fruits And Vegetables Not A Major Part Of College Students Diet, Study Finds

A study by Oregon State University scientists that compared the eating habits of 582 male and female college students has found that neither groups were eating proper amounts of fruits and vegetables. Male students ate fruits and vegetable as little as five times a week on average, while females consumed only four servings a week. Part of the problem is that students often skipped meals altogether, but even taking that into account, students ate less than one serving of fruits and vegetables a day, far less than federal guidelines recommend. On average, female students ate less fiber, while males ate more fat. Female dietary patterns were somewhat healthier: they skipped fewer meals, ate in campus dining halls more frequently, and read food labels.

"An Examination of Sex Differences in Relation to the Eating Habits and Nutrient Intakes of University Students", Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior, July 18, 2011