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A U.S. study finds a connection between the Mediterranean diet (fish, chicken, fruits and vegetables, olive oil, etc.) and preserving memory and thinking abilities as people age. The study was conducted among 17,478 people (average age 64) who were monitored for health changes over four years. Those who adhered to the Mediterranean diet – and avoided saturated fats, meat and dairy foods – were 19 percent less likely to develop thinking and memory problems. However, the connection was not found in diabetics. Researcher Dr. Georgios Tsivgoulis said diet is only one modifiable habit that could preserve cognitive function, also citing exercise, weight management, not smoking, and taking hypertension and diabetes medicines.
"Adherence to a Mediterranean diet and risk of incident cognitive impairment", Neurology, May 10, 2013
A U.S. study among younger school-age children showed that calcium intake was not significantly related to bone health, but magnesium – found in salmon, almonds, and other foods – was a key predictor of how much bone children had. The study, whose goal was to find the role of magnesium intake and absorption in relation to bone mineral content, involved 63 healthy children between aged 4 to 8. Before the study began, participants filled out food diaries, and during the study they were served foods consistent with calcium and magnesium levels based on their diaries. Researchers said calcium is important, but not more important than magnesium.
"Magnesium May Be as Important to Kids Bone Health as Calcium", News release, presentation at the Pediatric Academic Societies (PAS) annual meeting, May 05, 2013
An imaging study by scientists in Oregon among adolescents found that weight loss would be more effective and enduring if dieters ate healthy, low-fat/low-sugar foods during regular meals, rather than fast for long periods of time. Participants in two groups voluntarily restricted their caloric intake to approximate what happens with real-world dieters. Using a brain imaging paradigm, the researchers examined the responsivity of adolescent's attention and reward regions of the brain. They found that restricting food intake increases the reward value of food, especially high-calorie, appetizing food. The more successful people are at low-calorie dieting, the tougher it is to stick to the diet. Fasting for a long time also often leads to poor post-fast food choices.
"Caloric deprivation increases responsivity of attention and reward brain regions to intake, anticipated intake, and images of palatable foods", NeuroImage, May 02, 2013
An imaging study by scientists in Oregon among adolescents found that weight loss would be more effective and enduring if dieters ate healthy, low-fat/low-sugar foods during regular meals, rather than fast for long periods of time. Participants in two groups voluntarily restricted their caloric intake to approximate what happens with real-world dieters. Using a brain imaging paradigm, the researchers examined the responsivity of adolescent's attention and reward regions of the brain. They found that restricting food intake increases the reward value of food, especially high-calorie, appetizing food. The more successful people are at low-calorie dieting, the tougher it is to stick to the diet. Fasting for a long time also often leads to poor post-fast food choices.
"Diet, Anti-Aging Supplements May Help Reverse Blood Vessel Abnormality", News release, study presented at the AHA's Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis and Vascular Biology 2013 scientific sessions, May 01, 2013
U.S. researchers have found that adhering to a heart-healthy diet reduces “bad cholesterol” (LDL) in men with high risk of heart disease, regardless of weight loss. Nineteen men with metabolic syndrome aged 24 to 64 were fed a standard North American diet for five weeks. For another five weeks they were fed a Mediterranean-style diet, then a 20-week weight-loss regime, then five more weeks of the Mediterranean diet. Results showed a nine percent decrease in LDL and improved metabolism. Doctors recommended the Mediterranean diet for effective management of metabolic syndrome, which includes high blood pressure, high waist circumference, high levels of triglycerides and low levels of HDL (“good cholesterol”).
"Heart Healthy Diet Helps Men Lower Bad Cholesterol, Regardless of Weight Loss", News release, presentation at the American Heart Association's Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis and Vascular Biology 2013 Scientific Sessions, May 01, 2013
A study conducted in mice by Korean researchers found that green tea in combination with polyethylene glycol significantly lowered body weight and insulin resistance. By itself green tea had no effect on body weight or glucose intolerance. For the study, both diabetic and normal mice were fed a high-fat diet supplemented with green tea. One group was also given polyethylene glycol to prevent absorption of gallated catechins into the bloodstream, which would increase insulin resistance. Researchers concluded that combining green tea extract and polyethylene glycol might be a preventative and therapeutic tool for treating obesity and obesity-related type 2 diabetes without unwanted side effects.
"Green tea extract with polyethylene glycol-3350 reduces body weight and improves glucose tolerance in db/db and high-fat diet mice", Naunyn-Schmiedeberg's Archives of Pharmacology, April 29, 2013
Researchers have discovered a simple formula and blood test that can accurately determine arterial health. In a study at a U.S. hospital, the ratio of triglycerides – a component of cholesterol – to HDL (good cholesterol) was calculated in 900 children and young adults. Researchers found that the higher the ratio, the more likely a person would have stiff and damaged arteries. When hardening of the arteries is detected in children, it can be a sign of "accelerated aging," which increases the risk of “dangerous outcomes” -- stroke, heart attack, etc. -- much earlier in adult life than normally expected. The researchers said the problem can be reversed in children with changes in diet, including reduced intake of sugary beverages and carbohydrate-rich foods.
"Children on Track for a Heart Attack", The Wall Street Journal, April 29, 2013
A survey of 1,824 middle-aged women found that 43 percent believe eating more protein prevents weight gain, and eating protein helped in their own efforts to lose weight. Most of the women surveyed correctly identified good protein sources, and a majority knew the daily percent of dietary energy recommended from protein. According to the researchers, because the majority of Americans are overweight, education regarding dietary protein requirements may enhance the use of protein in the diet as a weight loss strategy. Women may need more information regarding protein energy content and choosing protein sources to enhance protein intake as a weight management strategy, they said.
"Perceived Importance of Dietary Protein to Prevent Weight Gain: A National Survey among Midlife Women", Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior, April 26, 2013
An Australian study has found evidence that an extract of an edible succulent plant native to India aids in reducing waist size in overweight and obese people by suppressing appetite. Researchers tested the effect of 500 mg of Caralluma fimbriata extract on 33 overweight men and women. After 12 weeks, those who had taken the supplement has lost an average of 2.6 inches from their waist, compared to one inch among the control group. The active ingredients in Caralluma fimbriata – pregnane glycosides – have been shown in other human trials to inhibit appetite. Caralluma fimbriata is available through the ingredient Slimaluma, developed by Gencor, which provided the extract for the Australian study.
"Indian herb may whittle waistlines", Newhope 360, April 26, 2013
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Malnutrition Task Force/British Dietetic Association, May 10, 2013
Reuters Health , May 08, 2013
Nutrition Horizon , May 01, 2013
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