Childhood Obesity Linked To High Risk Of Adult Cancers July 24, 2012: 12:00 AM EST Israeli researchers have discovered a link between adolescent obesity and bladder, urinary tract and colorectal cancers in adulthood. This threat can now be added to the growing list of dangers associated with adolescent obesity, including diabetes, heart disease and joint and muscle pain. Obese children – above the 84th percentile in body mass index – have a 1.42 percent greater chance – a 50 percent higher risk – of adult cancers. The study analyzed data from a longitudinal study of 1.1 million men in the Israeli Defense Forces. Z. Levi et al., "Measured Body Mass Index in Adolescence and the Incidence of Colorectal Cancer in a Cohort of 1.1 Million Males", Cancer Epidemiology Biomarkers & Prevention, July 24, 2012, © American Association for Cancer Research

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Beware Of Foods Marketed As “Healthy” – Including Some Veggies July 24, 2012: 12:00 AM EST Some vegetables and other foods normally considered or marketed as “healthy” – compared to junk foods high in fat, sugar or salt – may actually be detrimental if excessive amounts are eaten, according to a U.S. university dietitian. Worrisome foods include those claimed to be healthy – e.g., “low fat” or “fat free” foods – that may be high in sugar or calories. Vegetables that should be eaten in moderation because they are high in starch include peas, corn and potatoes. Brooke Schantz, "Is There Such a Thing as Eating Too Many Fruits and Vegetables?", News release, Loyola University Health System, July 24, 2012, © Loyola University Health System

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Significant Proportion Of Obese Children Show Signs Of Cardiovascular Disease July 24, 2012: 12:00 AM EST A study based on data provided by Dutch pediatricians over three years finds that 67 percent of children with a body mass index associated with obesity had at least one symptom of cardiovascular disease. Fifty-six percent had high blood pressure; 54 percent had high levels of low density “bad” cholesterol; 14 percent had high fasting blood glucose; and one percent already had type 2 diabetes. The authors concluded that there is an urgent need for internationally accepted criteria for defining severe obesity as well as “guidelines for early detection and treatment of severe obesity and [underlying ill health].” Nathalie M A van Emmerik et al., "High cardiovascular risk in severely obese young children and adolescents", Archives of Disease in Childhood, July 24, 2012, © Royal College of Pediatrics and Child Health

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Intake Of Vitamins C And E, And Selenium, Linked To Reduced Risk Of Pancreatic Cancer July 23, 2012: 12:00 AM EST A long-term British study involving 23,500 middle-aged and elderly people finds that the risk of pancreatic cancer may be reduced significantly by increasing consumption of antioxidant vitamins C and E and the chemical element selenium. Pancreatic cancer kills about 250,000 people around the world each year. Only three percent of those diagnosed with the disease survive to five years. A weekly intake of selenium in the top 25 percent of consumption cut the risk of developing pancreatic cancer in half. Those whose vitamins C, E, and selenium intake was in the top 25 percent of consumption were 67 percent less likely to develop pancreatic cancer. Paul J R Banim et al., "Dietary antioxidants and the etiology of pancreatic cancer: a cohort study using data from food diaries and biomarkers", Gut, July 23, 2012, © British Society of Gastroenterology

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Sugar-Sweetened Sodas, Fruit Drinks Not Tied To Drop In Milk Consumption Among Kids July 22, 2012: 12:00 AM EST Although children in the U.S. are drinking less milk these days, a new study finds the drop in consumption is not related to the steep increase in drinking low-nutrition sugary drinks. Milk drinking dropped between 5th and 8th grade, according to researchers who studied the long-term dietary habits of 7,445 students who were kindergartners in a 1998 -1999. Among the same group, consumption of sugary sodas and flavored fruit drinks doubled. But the researchers noted that changes in children's milk and 100-percent-juice consumption were not significantly related to changes in their consumption of sweetened beverages over time. The conclusion? Sweetened beverages did not replace other caloric beverages in children's diets. Reena Oza-Frank et al., "Beverage Displacement between Elementary and Middle School, 2004-2007", Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, July 22, 2012, © Elsevier B.V.

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RDA Of Vitamin C Could Be Doubled Safely For Optimum Health Benefit July 18, 2012: 12:00 AM EST Medical experts who determine the recommended daily allowance (RDA) of vitamin C are using inappropriate evaluation techniques to come up with faulty conclusions, according to a U.S. review of recent scientific literature. Specifically, the researchers found, the RDA of vitamin C could be doubled – to an optimum 200 mg a day, instead of 75 to 90 mg – to safely saturate cells and tissues for the greatest possible health benefit, they said. The problem is that medical experts insist on evaluating vitamin C in the same way they do pharmaceutical drugs, using phase 3 randomized placebo-controlled trials. This “almost insures they will find no beneficial effect,” the researchers said. “We need to get past that.” Balz Frei et al., "Authors' Perspective: What is the Optimum Intake of Vitamin C in Humans?", Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition, July 18, 2012, © Informa plc

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Reducing Obesity In Canada Would Help Relieve The Strain On The National Health System July 18, 2012: 12:00 AM EST A Canadian economist who studied the relationship between obesity and the number of doctor visits found that if obesity – and related complications, such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease – were eliminated, doctor visits would drop by more than ten percent. That, in turn, would relieve some of the stress on the already overburdened national health system. The economist analyzed data on 60,000 Canadians from a national health survey. He suggested that reducing obesity might be achieved through economic incentives (such as higher health insurance premiums) and through tighter regulation of the fast food industry. James McIntosh, "Weight Loss Today Keeps the Doctor Away", News release, unpublished research by James McIntosh, July 18, 2012, © Concordia University

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Diabetes Risk Rises Dramatically When Obesity Is Combined With Vitamin D Deficiency July 17, 2012: 12:00 AM EST Research has shown that vitamin D insufficiency and obesity are individual risk factors for insulin resistance and diabetes. But new U.S. research shows that when you combine the two, the odds of insulin resistance rise to an even greater degree. Obese individuals in the study who had healthy levels of vitamin D were 20 times more likely to have insulin resistance than the overall study population. But obese individuals who also had low levels of vitamin D were 32 times more likely to have insulin resistance. Further research could help determine whether vitamin D supplements would reduce insulin resistance. S. M. Kabadi et al., "Joint Effects of Obesity and Vitamin D Insufficiency on Insulin Resistance and Type 2 Diabetes", Diabetes Care, July 17, 2012, © American Diabetes Association

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Chinese Study Finds That Dietary And Supplemental Vitamin E Reduces Risk Of Liver Cancer July 17, 2012: 12:00 AM EST An analysis of health data from nearly 133,000 middle-aged and older Chinese men and women found that vitamin E intake from both diet and supplements were associated with a lower risk of liver cancer, the third most common cause of cancer mortality in the world. The association was consistent among participants with and without self-reported liver disease or a family history of liver cancer. "We found a clear, inverse dose-response relation between vitamin E intake and liver cancer risk," the authors wrote. Nuts, seeds, and vegetable oils are among the best natural sources of vitamin E. Wei Zhang et al., "Vitamin Intake and Liver Cancer Risk: A Report From Two Cohort Studies in China", Journal of the National Cancer Institute, July 17, 2012, © The Authors

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“Natural” Stimulant Found In Nutritional Supplements Is Actually Synthetic – And Dangerous July 12, 2012: 12:00 AM EST A substance known as DMAA (1,3-dimethylamylamine), which is marketed as a “natural” stimulant in a variety of pre-workout and nutritional supplements, is actually a synthetic compound, U.S. researchers have found. Some DMAA products claim the compound is derived from geranium plants. But the deaths of two U.S. soldiers after using DMAA-based supplements led to closer scrutiny. Investigators not only found no DMAA in geranium plants, they determined that DMAA comprises four synthetic compounds called stereo-isomers. They recommended that the FDA either regulate or ban “products in which significant amounts of pharmacological compounds are added.” Ying Zhang et al., "1,3-Dimethylamylamine (DMAA) in supplements and geranium products: natural or synthetic?", Drug Testing and Analysis, July 12, 2012, © John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

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Menopausal Symptoms May Be Reduced By Losing Weight, Eating Low-Fat Diet July 11, 2012: 12:00 AM EST Hot flashes and night sweats are frequently experienced by women before or after menopause as their estrogen levels decline. But U.S. researchers who looked at the effects of a low-fat diet and weight loss on nearly 49,000 postmenopausal women found that those who lost ten or more pounds (or 10 or more percent of their weight) were more likely to eliminate hot flashes and night sweats after a year. It especially helped if their diet was low in fat and rich in fruits, vegetables and whole grains. “Weight loss or weight gain prevention may offer a viable strategy to help eliminate hot flashes and night sweats associated with menopause," the researchers said. Candyce H. Kroenke et al., "Effects of a dietary intervention and weight change on vasomotor symptoms in the Women's Health Initiative", Menopause, July 11, 2012, © The North American Menopause Society

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Daily Iron Supplements Not Necessary To Prevent Anemia In Pregnant Women July 11, 2012: 12:00 AM EST Pregnant women need not take iron supplements every day to get the same health benefits, according to a review of clinical studies. In addition, they experience  fewer side effects. Iron supplements are taken during pregnancy to prevent anemia, a condition that harms not only mothers but their infants. But an analysis of 18 clinical trials involving more than 4,000 women found that iron supplements taken only two or three times a week were just as beneficial; and women were less likely to experience side effects like nausea, constipation and high hemoglobin levels. Juan Pablo Peña-Rosas et al., "Intermittent oral iron supplementation during pregnancy", Cochrane Reviews, July 11, 2012, © John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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Herbs And Spices Can Play A Role In The Global Fight Against Obesity July 9, 2012: 06:46 PM EST Presenters at a scientific meeting of the research arm of spice manufacturer McCormick & Company recently reviewed scientific research on the potential weight management benefits of culinary herbs and spices. A University of Colorado scientist said small changes in lifestyle and diet, like eating spices “that increase satiety,” could be both beneficial and sustainable. A Dutch scientist noted that consuming red pepper containing capsaicin induces feelings of fullness. And a University of Illinois researcher listed  the health benefits of compounds found in Latin American herbs, spices and herbal tea. "McCormick Science Institute Scientific Advisory Council Convenes in UK", News release, McCormick & Company, July 09, 2012, © McCormick & Company

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Study Finds Out Why Sleep Deprivation Can Lead To Weight Gain July 10, 2012: 12:00 AM EST German researchers who investigated the possible link between short term sleep deprivation and weight gain have found that sleep-deprived people eat more calories because they are hungrier. They also tend to burn fewer calories because physical activity is reduced. Both phenomena increase the risk of weight gain. Sleep deprivation increased feelings of hunger and raised the amount of the "hunger hormone" ghrelin detected in their blood. After just one night of disrupted sleep volunteers moved around less, decreasing calorie burning, because they felt more tired. Lastly, staying awake for one whole night reduced the amount of energy used by the body when resting. "Should We Sleep More to Lose Weight?", News release, presentation at the annual meeting of the Society for the Study of Ingestive Behavior , July 10, 2012, © Society for the Study of Ingestive Behavior

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“Reward Sensitivity” May Explain Why Some People Are More Vulnerable To Overeating July 10, 2012: 12:00 AM EST An Australian psychologist has found that “reward sensitivity” is the personality trait in women that is most closely associated with a greater liking of junk food images found in, for example, television ads, and with an increased urge to eat junk food. The study monitored 75 men and women who watched a 30 minute film embedded with junk food, healthy food, or no food in the commercials. Participants rated the pleasantness of food images and their desire to eat after watching the films. Reward-sensitive women – but not men – experienced greater pleasure and a stronger urge to eat after watching TV ads featuring junk food, compared with ads showing healthy food or no food at all. Natalie Loxton, "Reward Sensitivity Increases Food “Wanting” Following Television “Junk Food” Commercials", News release, presentation at the annual meeting of the Society for the Study of Ingestive Behavior, July 10, 2012, © Society for the Study of Ingestive Behavior

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Moderate But Regular Drinking Reduces Risk Of Rheumatoid Arthritis By Half In Women July 10, 2012: 12:00 AM EST Swedish research finds that women who regularly consume more than three alcoholic drinks a week for at least 10 years cut their risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis in half, compared with non-drinkers. The study analyzed detailed dietary and lifestyle data on 34,141 women born between 1914 and 1948. After adjusting for factors such as age, smoking and dietary habits, women who drank more than three standard glasses of alcohol per week in both 1987 and 1997 had a 52 percent reduced risk of rheumatoid arthritis compared with non-drinkers. One standard glass of alcohol was defined as about 500 ml (16.9 oz.) of beer, 150 ml (5.1 oz.) of wine or 50 ml (1.7 oz.) of liquor. The reduced risk was similar for all three types of alcoholic drink. D. Di Giuseppe et al., "Long term alcohol intake and risk of rheumatoid arthritis in women: a population based cohort study", BMJ, July 10, 2012, © BMJ Publishing Group Ltd

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Glycemic Index Of Many Varieties Of Rice Is A Healthy Low To Medium July 9, 2012: 12:00 AM EST A British study of 235 types of rice finds that the glycemic index can vary from 48 to 92 – with an average of 64. The low to medium GI of many varieties of rice means they can be a healthy part of the everyday diet, especially for people like diabetics who need to control blood sugar levels. Rice varieties like India's most widely grown rice variety, swarna, have a low GI; varieties like doongara and basmati from Australia have a medium GI. Low GI foods are those that measure 55 and less; medium GI measures between 56 and 69; and high GI foods measure at 70 and above. Fitzgerald et al., "Identification of a Major Genetic Determinant of Glycemic Index in Rice", Rice, July 09, 2012, © Springer

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Meta-Analysis Of Clinical Trials Finds That Cranberry Products Protect Against UTI July 9, 2012: 12:00 AM EST U.S. and Chinese scientists who reviewed 13 clinical trials involving 1,616 individuals found significant evidence that consumption of cranberry-containing products protects against urinary tract infections (UTI) in certain populations. Cranberry products were more effective in women with recurrent UTI, females generally, cranberry juice drinkers, “and people using cranberry-containing products more than twice daily,” the authors wrote. They urged caution in interpreting the conclusions from the analysis, however, “because of the substantial heterogeneity across trials.” Chih-Hung Wang et al., "Cranberry-Containing Products for Prevention of Urinary Tract Infections in Susceptible Populations", Archives of Internal Medicine, July 09, 2012, © American Medical Association

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No Link Between Weight Gain And Short-Term Mortality – Study July 6, 2012: 12:00 AM EST A new U.S. study seems to belie earlier research linking higher short-term mortality with weight gain. The researchers analyzed national data from 2000 to 2005 from nearly 51,000 adults aged 18 to 90 years who participated in surveys on health-care utilization and costs. They found that people who were overweight or obese had no higher risk of death during a six-year follow-up period compared to normal weight individuals. The researchers said their results should not be construed to mean obesity is not a threat to individual or public health. In fact, weight loss is advisable because obesity has a significant impact on quality of life. A. Jerant et al., "Body Mass Index, Diabetes, Hypertension, and Short-Term Mortality: A Population-Based Observational Study", The Journal of the American Board of Family Medicine, July 06, 2012, © American Board of Family Medicine

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Scientists Figure Out Why A Protein Meal Leaves People Feeling Fuller July 5, 2012: 12:00 AM EST French scientists report that they now understand the back-and-forth signaling loop between the brain and gut that generates a feeling of fullness after eating a high-protein meal. Stimulating certain receptors (mu-opioid) on the major blood vessel in the gut enhances food intake, while blocking them suppresses intake. Peptides produced by digestion of dietary proteins block the receptors, curbing appetite. The researchers say that this finding not only explains why people feel fuller after a high-protein meal, it paves the way for new approaches to the treatment or prevention of obesity. Duraffourd et al., "Mu-Opioid Receptors and Dietary Protein Stimulate a Gut-Brain Neural Circuitry Limiting Food Intake", Cell, July 05, 2012, © Elsevier Inc.

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Study Finds That Higher Doses Of Vitamin D Reduce Fracture Risk Among Elderly July 5, 2012: 12:00 AM EST Higher doses of vitamin D – between 800 and 2,000 IUs a day – help reduce bone fractures in both men and women aged 65 and older, according to a Swiss-funded multinational study. The researchers pooled results of 11 randomized clinical trials investigating vitamin D supplementation and the risk of bone fracture among 31,000 older adults. They also found no benefit in taking vitamin D supplements in doses lower than 800 IUs a day for fracture prevention. In the U.S., the dietary reference intake (DRI) for vitamin D in older adults is a minimum of 600 IUs a day for adults between 51 and 70 years-old and 800 IUs in adults over 70. Heike A. Bischoff-Ferrari et al., "A Pooled Analysis of Vitamin D Dose Requirements for Fracture Prevention", New England Journal of Medicine, July 05, 2012, © Massachusetts Medical Society

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New Lupin-Based Breakfast Cereal Packs A Nutritional Punch July 3, 2012: 12:12 AM EST Western Australia university researchers have teamed with a local food manufacturer to produce a lupin-based breakfast cereal that is low glycemic index, gluten free, high in dietary fiber and protein, and low in fat. Other breakfast cereals on the market contain small amounts – two to three percent – of lupins, though a minimum of 20 percent is necessary to provide health benefits. The new Super Lupin cereal contains 30 percent lupins. The product, manufactured by Lupin Nutrition Food, comes in five varieties: plain, blueberry, blueberry with fruit and nuts, tropical, and banana. "Lupin Enriched Cereal Has "Huge Worldwide Potential"", Food Ingredients First, July 03, 2012, © Curtin University/ CNS Media BV

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Research Shows Organic Tomatoes Are Richer In Healthy Nutrients July 3, 2012: 12:47 AM EST Spanish researchers have shown that organically-grown tomatoes are richer than conventional  tomatoes in compounds that are beneficial to human health. Known as polyphenols, the compounds have been associated with prevention of cardiovascular and degenerative diseases, as well as some forms of cancer. The researchers say the difference between organic and conventional tomatoes is found in the manure used as fertilizer in organic farming. Plants respond to the manure by activating defense mechanisms that increase the levels of all antioxidants. “The more stress plants suffer, the more polyphenols they produce,” the authors said. Anna Vallverdú-Queralt et al., "Evaluation of a Method To Characterize the Phenolic Profile of Organic and Conventional Tomatoes", Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, July 03, 2012, © American Chemical Society

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Saturated Fats Adversely Affect Fertility Treatment Outcomes July 3, 2012: 12:00 AM EST A U.S. study investigating the impact of various types of dietary fats on in vitro fertilization (IVF) has found that women who eat higher amounts of saturated fats tend to have fewer mature eggs available for the IVF process. Dietary fats studied in 147 women included saturated, monounsaturated, polyunsaturated, omega 6, omega 3 and trans fats. Women with higher intakes of total fat had fewer acceptable eggs (oocytes) retrieved than women with lower intakes. Fat consumption was also inversely associated with embryo quality and number of live births. Jorge Chavarro, "A High Intake of Certain Dietary Fats Associated With Lower Live Birth Rates in IVF", News release, presentation at the annual meeting of the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology, July 03, 2012, © European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology

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Maintaining “Energy Balance” Is Key To Winning Obesity Battle July 3, 2012: 12:00 AM EST The U.S. should be focusing less on food restriction and weight loss to fight obesity, and should instead pay closer attention to “energy balance”: a combination of food intake, energy expenditure through physical activity and energy (fat) storage. The researchers argue that obesity cannot be reduced simply by dieting, there has to be a physical activity component. The proposal is based on the idea of a “regulated zone,” where energy balance is managed by using strategies that match food and beverage intake to a higher level of energy expenditure than is typical in the U.S. today. “Without increasing physical activity in the population we are simply promoting unsustainable levels of food restriction,” they said J. O. Hill et al., "Energy Balance and Obesity", Circulation, July 03, 2012, © American Heart Association, Inc.

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Higher Levels Of Coffee Consumption Are Detrimental To IVF July 3, 2012: 12:00 AM EST A Danish study involving 4,000 in vitro fertilization (IVF) and intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) patients has found that drinking larger amounts of coffee has an adverse effect on pregnancy rates. The study found that drinking five or more cups of coffee a day reduced the clinical pregnancy rate by 50 percent and the live birth rate by 40 percent. The researchers said they were not surprised by the link between pregnancy rates and coffee drinking, but “we were surprised by the magnitude of the effect.” Ulrik Schiøler Kesmodel , "Five or More Cups of Coffee a Day Reduce the Chance of IVF Success by Around 50 Percent", News release, presentation at European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology annual meeting, July 03, 2012, © European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology

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Eating At Campus Dining Facilities Has A Positive Impact On Freshmen July 3, 2012: 12:00 AM EST First-year college students who eat together in a campus dining facility not only feel they have more social support, they also get better grades, according to a Kansas State University professor’s survey. The professor polled more than 300 freshmen who ate in a dining center that served several dormitories at the school. Sixty-two percent of students said eating in the dining center made them feel more socially connected; 77 percent said they were rarely or never lonely when people sat near them. Students who ate at least 11 times a week in the center earned an average GPA of 3.4; those who ate fewer than seven times per week in the center earned an average GPA of 3.0. Abigail Bauer, "Campus Dining Centers Make the Grade in Boosting Students' Academics, Social Support", News feature, Kansas State University, July 03, 2012, © Kansas State University

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Study Seems To Confirm “Obesity Paradox”: Being Overweight Protects Heart Patients July 3, 2012: 12:00 AM EST A new U.S. study confirms the so-called “obesity paradox”: in both men and women with advanced heart failure, obesity (determined by body mass index) reduced the risk for adverse outcomes, including death, the need for a heart transplant, and the need for ventricular assist device placement. Researchers analyzed data on 2,718 advanced heart failure patients treated at UCLA Medical Center from 1983 to 2011. Conversely, both men and women with a normal BMI and waist circumference were at a substantially higher risk for adverse outcomes. Adrienne L. Clark et al., "The Obesity Paradox in Men Versus Women With Systolic Heart Failure", American Journal of Cardiology, July 03, 2012, © Elsevier Inc.

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Fast Food Diet Puts Chinese In Singapore At Extreme Risk Of Type 2 Diabetes July 2, 2012: 12:00 AM EST A study conducted by U.S. scientists in Singapore has found that a diet that includes large amounts of fast food significantly increases the risk of developing type 2 diabetes. People who eat fast food meals only once a week increase the diabetes risk by 20 percent compared to those who avoid fast food altogether. The risk skyrockets to 80 percent when people consume fast food items four or more times a week. The findings were based on data from a 16-year study of the eating habits of 52,000 Chinese residents of Singapore who experienced a recent and sudden transition from traditional foods to Western-style fast food. Andrew O. Odegaard et al., "Western-Style Fast Food Intake and Cardio-Metabolic Risk in an Eastern Country", Circulation, July 02, 2012, © American Heart Association, Inc.

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Low Glycemic Load Diet Found To Be Better For Keeping Weight Off June 27, 2012: 12:00 AM EST Researchers at Children’s Hospital in Boston who studied the impact of three common diets on 21 overweight and obese adults over four years found that a low-fat diet seems to increase the risk of regaining weight. The researchers, curious about which diet is better at keeping weight off after initial weight loss, found the risk was less with a low-glycemic index diet, and least with a very low-carbohydrate diet. "These findings suggest that a strategy to reduce glycemic load rather than dietary fat may be advantageous for weight-loss maintenance and cardiovascular disease prevention,” the authors wrote. Cara B. Ebbeling et al. , "Effects of Dietary Composition on Energy Expenditure During Weight-Loss Maintenance", JAMA, June 27, 2012, © American Medical Association

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Kids Who Cook At Home Are More Likely To Pass Up Junk Food June 27, 2012: 12:00 AM EST A survey of students in 151 schools in Alberta province found that kids who participated in cooking and meal preparation at home showed a greater preference for eating fruits and vegetables over junk food. About a third of students surveyed said they helped cook meals at least once a day, and another third said they helped one to three times a week. Only 12.4 percent stayed out of the kitchen entirely. One of the researchers said the findings show the value of getting kids interested in meal preparation in the home, and suggested there could be a role for schools as well. Yen Li Chu et al., "Involvement in home meal preparation is associated with food preference and self-efficacy among Canadian children", Public Health Nutrition, June 27, 2012, © Cambridge University Press

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Calcium Supplements May Increase Risk Of Kidney Stones Over Time, Study Finds June 27, 2012: 12:00 AM EST U.S. researchers who studied 163 healthy, postmenopausal women (aged 57 to 85) taking various levels of vitamin D and calcium supplements daily for a year found that a significant number developed a condition associated with an increased risk of kidney stones. A third of the participants developed high urinary levels of calcium (hypercalciuria) at some time during the study. These participants had 88 episodes of high urinary calcium. Hypercalciuria has been linked to an increased risk of kidney stones in previous studies. However, no incidents of kidney stones were reported during the study. J. Christopher Gallagher et al., "LongTerm Calcium and Vitamin D Supplement Use May Be Linked to Increased Risk of Kidney Stones", News release, presentation at The Endocrine Society annual meeting, June 27, 2012, © The Endocrine Society

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Low-Carb, High-Protein Diet Poses Cardiovascular Risk For Women June 27, 2012: 12:00 AM EST A study of 44,000 Swedish women aged 30 to 49 who followed a high-protein, low-carb diet over 15 years found a slightly higher risk of cardiovascular disease, including heart disease and stroke. Figures adjusted for various control factors showed an additional four to five cases of cardiovascular diseases per 10,000 women a  year compared with those who did not regularly eat a low carbohydrate, high protein diet. The researchers acknowledged that the differences were small, but nevertheless represented a 28 percent increase in the number of cases. They said the results are disturbing in young women who may be exposed to these dietary patterns and face the excess risk for many years. Pagona Lagiou et al., "Low carbohydrate-high protein diet and incidence of cardiovascular diseases in Swedish women: prospective cohort study", British Medical Journal, June 27, 2012, © BMJ Publishing Group Ltd

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Babies Benefit When Mothers Are Taught Healthy Eating Habits June 26, 2012: 01:37 AM EST A four-year study involving 667 first-time Australian mothers and their infants has found that a series of eight home-based nutrition education “interventions” – essentially visits by specially trained nurses – reduced the average body mass index of children by age two. The study was undertaken to see if there are practical ways to reduce the rate of childhood obesity, which among Australian children aged 2-3 years has reached 20 percent. The interventions also improved children’s vegetable consumption, reduced the practice of giving food as reward and reduced TV viewing time. Participating mothers increased their vegetable consumption and physical activity. Li Ming Wen et al., "Effectiveness of home based early intervention on children’s BMI at age 2: randomised controlled trial", British Medical Journal (BMJ), June 26, 2012, © Wen et al.

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Dieting Plus Exercise Reduces Risk Of Pre-Diabetes In Older Adults June 25, 2012: 12:00 AM EST Losing weight is an effective way for obese older people to prevent metabolic syndrome that leads to diabetes. But a weight loss program is even more beneficial when exercise is included, a U.S. study has found. Metabolic syndrome is a group of problems that raise the risk of type 2 diabetes and heart disease: symptoms include abdominal obesity, high blood pressure and high blood glucose. Researchers measured various metabolic markers for 93 study participants, finding that exercise alone did not lead to improvements. Dietary changes improved the measurements by 40 percent, while diet plus exercise improved markers by 70 percent. Matthew Bouchonville et al., "Diet Exercise or Both What Obese Older Adults Need to Do to Reduce Cardiometabolic Risk", News release, presentation at The Endocrine Society annual meeting, June 25, 2012, © Endocrine Society

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Adding Dessert To A Low-Cal Breakfast Reduces Hunger Pangs, Keeps Off Weight June 25, 2012: 12:00 AM EST Israeli researchers report that adding a small “dessert” to the breakfast of a restricted calorie diet reduces hunger pangs during the day and helps dieters keep off lost pounds. For the eight-month study, 200 obese adults in two groups were limited to 1,600 calories a day. One group ate a 304-calorie breakfast with 10 grams of carbs and 30 grams of protein. The other group ate a 600-calorie breakfast with 45 grams of protein and 60 grams of carbs, including a small dessert consisting of chocolate, a doughnut, etc. Participants in both groups lost about 33 pounds on average during the first four months, but the low-carb group regained 22 pounds; the desert group lost another 15 pounds. Daniela Jakubowicz et al., "Meal timing and composition influence ghrelin levels, appetite scores and weight loss maintenance in overweight and obese adults", Steroids, June 25, 2012, © Elsevier Inc.

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Measuring Two Appetite Hormones Before Dieting Predicts Whether Weight Will Be Regained June 25, 2012: 12:00 AM EST Scientists in Spain have determined that measuring the levels of two hormones before a dieting program is begun can accurately predict whether dieters will regain lost weight. The two hormones – leptin and ghrelin – help regulate the appetite. The researchers found the pre-diet leptin/ghrelin ratio to be two times higher among study participants who later regained weight than among those who did not. They also identified cut-off points that predicted more than 60 percent of patients who would later regain 10 percent or more of the weight they initially lost. Calculating the leptin/ghrelin ratio might help in personalizing weight-loss programs for more effective control of obesity, the researchers said. Ana B. Crujeiras, "Ratio of Appetite Regulating Hormones Marker of Successful Dieters", News release, presentation at The Endocrine Society annual meeting, June 25, 2012, © Endocrine Society

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Study Links Low Vitamin D Levels To Chronic Weight Gain June 25, 2012: 12:00 AM EST A study of more than 4,600 women aged 65 or older has found that those with low levels of vitamin D in their blood gained an average of two pounds more over five years than women whose vitamin D levels were sufficient. According to the U.S. researchers, about 80 percent of the women in the study had insufficient levels of vitamin D, a primary source of which is sunlight. The researchers said the fact that fewer people spend time outdoors in the sun could partially explain vitamin D deficiencies and chronic weight gain. They declined to recommend vitamin D supplements, however, until further studies are conducted. Erin S. LeBlanc et al., "Associations Between 25-Hydroxyvitamin D and Weight Gain in Elderly Women", Journal of Women's Health, June 25, 2012, © Mary Ann Liebert, Inc.

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Resveratrol’s Health Benefits Mimic Those Of Extensive Endurance Exercise Training June 22, 2012: 12:00 AM EST High doses of the natural antioxidant compound resveratrol improved the physical performance, heart function and muscle strength in laboratory rats, similar to the way endurance exercise improves heart and muscle performance, Canadian researchers have found. Resveratrol, found in red wine, nuts and some fruits, could be used to help patients who want to exercise but are physically incapable, the researchers said. “Our findings provide evidence that the capacity for fatty acid oxidation is augmented by the addition of resveratrol to the diet during exercise training.” V. W. Dolinsky et al., "Improvements in skeletal muscle strength and cardiac function induced by resveratrol during exercise training contribute to enhanced exercise performance in rats", The Journal of Physiology, June 22, 2012, © The Physiological Society

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Maintaining Healthy Dietary Patterns During Adolescence Prevents Obesity June 22, 2012: 12:00 AM EST Spanish researchers who studied health data and physical activity patterns from 1,978 adolescents found that some dietary habits – eating more than four scheduled meals a day, or not eating too fast – were associated with lower body fat levels, with or without free-time exercise. The researchers also noted that eating breakfast every day was especially beneficial for young men who do not exercise, because those who skipped breakfast showed higher body fat values. Sonia Gómez-Martínez et al., "Eating Habits and Total and Abdominal Fat in Spanish Adolescents: Influence of Physical Activity", Journal of Adolescent Health, June 22, 2012, © Elsevier Inc.

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An Apple A Day – Keeps Obesity Away? June 22, 2012: 12:00 AM EST A natural substance found in apple peels known as ursolic acid not only helps increase muscle mass and strength, it also seems to reduce obesity, pre-diabetes and fatty liver disease, new U.S. research in mice has found. The scientists believe the increased muscle mass from intake of ursolic acid may explain the reduction in obesity. But they also found that ursolic acid increased brown fat, an efficient calorie burner, in mice fed a high-fat diet. Their next step is to test the effect of ursolic acid in clinical trials. Kunkel SD et al., "Ursolic Acid Increases Skeletal Muscle and Brown Fat and Decreases Diet-Induced Obesity, Glucose Intolerance and Fatty Liver Disease", PLoS ONE, June 22, 2012, © Kunkel et al.

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Omega-3 Supplements Reduce Inflammation Markers In Older, Overweight Individuals June 22, 2012: 12:00 AM EST U.S. researchers have found that overweight, but otherwise healthy, middle-aged and older adults who consumed omega-3 fatty acid supplements for four months had significantly lower levels of a protein in the blood that indicates the presence of inflammation associated with a variety of diseases and disorders. Omega-3 supplements lowered the protein level by ten percent and slightly lowered the level of another marker for inflammation. Participants in the study who consumed placebo oil capsules over four months, however, experienced average increases of 36 percent and 12 percent in those same markers. Janice K. Kiecolt-Glaser et al., "Omega-3 supplementation lowers inflammation in healthy middle-aged and older adults: A randomized controlled trial", Brain, Behavior, and Immunity, June 22, 2012, © Elsevier Inc.

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Spinach Counteracts Effect Of Cooked Meat Carcinogen On microRNAs And Cancer Stem Cells June 22, 2012: 12:00 AM EST U.S. researchers who analyzed the impact of 679 micoRNAs, which were once considered “junk DNA,” found that when they go haywire they can cause abnormal gene expression that leads to cancer. For their study, the researchers traced the actions of a known carcinogen in cooked meat to its effects on microRNA and cancer stem cells, finding a direct link. On the bright side, however, they also found in animal experiments that eating spinach seems to partially offset the damaging effects of the carcinogen. Mansi A. Parasramka et al., "MicroRNA profiling of carcinogen-induced rat colon tumors and the influence of dietary spinach", Molecular Nutrition & Food Research, June 22, 2012, © John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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Older Women Do Not Escape Eating Disorders Associated With Teenagers, Young Adults June 21, 2012: 12:00 AM EST A U.S. study of older women – average age 59 – finds that aging does not prevent or ward off eating disorders. Among women over 50, 3.5 percent report binge eating, eight percent report purging, and more than 70 percent are trying to lose weight. Sixty-two percent of women said their weight or shape negatively affected their life. More than a quarter of the participants – 92 percent of whom were white – were obese, 29 percent were overweight, 42 percent were normal weight and two percent were underweight. The researchers urged healthcare providers to “remain alert for eating disorder symptoms and weight and shape concerns” that could harm the physical and psychological wellbeing of aging women. Danielle A. Gagne et al., "Eating disorder symptoms and weight and shape concerns in a large web-based convenience sample of women ages 50 and above", International Journal of Eating Disorders, June 21, 2012, © Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

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A Contrarian View Of The Health Impact Of Fructose: It Helps Control Blood Sugar In Diabetics June 21, 2012: 12:00 AM EST Scientific evidence of the dangers of fructose consumption continues to pile up, but new research takes a contrarian view that should cheer up the sugar industry. A Canadian review of 18 clinical trials involving 209 participants with either type 1 or type 2 diabetes found that fructose significantly improved blood sugar control. The improvement was similar to that achieved by an oral anti-diabetes drug. Moreover, the improvement came without adverse impact on body weight, blood pressure, uric acid (gout) or cholesterol. Participants in the trials were fed diets in which fructose was incorporated or sprinkled on foods such as cereals or coffee. Adrian I. Cozma et al., "Effect of Fructose on Glycemic Control in Diabetes: A systematic review", Diabetes Care, June 21, 2012, © American Diabetes Association

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Strict Control Of Glucose Levels In Diabetics Prevents Neuropathy – But With Serious Side Effects June 13, 2012: 12:00 AM EST Half of diabetics develop a disabling condition known as diabetic neuropathy, which leaves feet and legs feeling tingly, numb, painful or weak. Neuropathy can be prevented by strict control of blood sugar levels. But a U.S. and British review of six clinical studies of enhanced glucose control methods – extra insulin injections, anti-diabetic drugs, and diet changes – has found that they can be effective, there is a significant risk of adverse effects, including hypoglycemia. Further research is needed to find optimum target levels for safe treatments that will both prevent neuropathy and minimize serious side effects, according to the scientists who conducted the review. Brian C Callaghan et al., "Enhanced glucose control for preventing and treating diabetic neuropathy", Cochrane Review, June 13, 2012, © John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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Fish Oil Supplements Do Not Prevent Cognitive Decline In Older People June 13, 2012: 12:00 AM EST A systematic review of three British short-term clinical trials involving more than 3,500 people aged 60 or over has found that omega-3 fish oil supplements probably do not help older people retain cognitive function. The researchers acknowledged that the studies were relatively short, so the longer term effects of omega-3 fatty acids on cognitive decline and dementia need to be further explored. The trials, which were conducted for up to four years, compared the effects of omega-3 fatty acids taken in capsules or margarine to the effects of sunflower oil, olive oil or regular margarine (placebos). Participants given omega-3s did not score better in mental state examinations, or in memory and verbal fluency tests. Emma Sydenham et al., ". Omega 3 fatty acid for the prevention of cognitive decline and dementia", The Cochrane Library, June 13, 2012, © John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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Battle Over Sugary Diets Drags On June 11, 2012: 10:07 AM EST Nutritionists, the sugar industry and governments remain locked in a battle for the hearts, minds and wallets of Americans. According to an American Heart Association spokesman, U.S. adults on average consume 22 teaspoons of added sugar a day. That contributes mightily to obesity, hypertension, type 2 diabetes and risk factors for cardiovascular disease, and makes it a public health policy issue. But sugar industry representatives, like the Corn Refiners Association and the Sugar Association, say sugars have been "unfairly demonized." America’s obesity problem is "much more complicated," they argue. Agreed, some nutrition experts say: sugar itself is not evil. The critical health problem arises when sugar is consumed in super-size quantities every day. Nanci Hellmich, "Nutrition advocates turning sour on sugar", USA TODAY, June 11, 2012, © USA TODAY, a division of Gannett Co. Inc

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Brain Imaging Research Shows Why Sleep-Deprived Individuals Crave Junk Foods June 10, 2012: 12:00 AM EST A U.S. study using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) sheds light on why sleep-restricted individuals find unhealthy foods more attractive and rewarding. fMRI of the brains of 25 normal-weight men and women showed that the sight of unhealthy food during a period of sleep restriction activated reward centers in the brain that were less active when participants had adequate sleep. Researchers said food intake data from the study showed that participants ate more overall and consumed more fat after a period of sleep restriction compared to regular sleep. “The brain imaging data provided the neurocognitive basis for those results," they said. Marie-Pierre St-Onge et al., "Sleep restriction increases the neuronal response to unhealthy food stimuli", Presentation, annual meeting of the Associated Professional Sleep Societies, June 10, 2012, © Associated Professional Sleep Societies

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High-Fat/Low-Carb Diets Increase Risk Of Cardiovascular Disease June 10, 2012: 12:00 AM EST A Swedish study has found that low carbohydrate/high fat diets help short term weight loss, but the loss is not maintained over the long term. In fact, the diet increases blood cholesterol, which has a major impact on risk of cardiovascular disease. The study looked at 25 years of data from a regional and national dietary intervention to reduce fat intake. The intervention decreased cholesterol levels. The program then switched to a popular high fat/low carbohydrate diet that, in turn,  raised cholesterol levels. Body mass index (BMI) increased over the 25 years, regardless of either diet; both the increase in BMI and cholesterol levels increased cardiovascular risk. Ingegerd Johansson et al., "Associations among 25-year trends in diet, cholesterol and BMI from 140,000 observations in men and women in Northern Sweden", Nutrition Journal, June 10, 2012, © BioMed Central Ltd

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