Nutrition is the act or process of nourishing or being nourished.
Dr. Ramón Estruch of the University of Barcelona’s
Department of Internal Medicine was the study’s senior author. Estruch and his
team asked 42 high-risk men and women age 55 or older to take part in an
experiment examining the effects of cocoa on heart disease.
“Cocoa and its derived products, such as chocolate,
represent a very rich source of dietary flavonoids, which contain a higher
content per serving than tea or red wine,” authors write. “The health benefits
associated with cocoa consumption have been related to their capacity to
improve the lipid profile and insulin sensitivity, diminish blood pressure,
reduce platelet activity and function, and ameliorate endothelial dysfunction.”
Participants were given two sachets of non-fat, sugar-free
Cola Cao, a popular Spanish cocoa powder mix similar to Nesquik. They were to
mix 20 g (about 1 ½ Tbs.) with 250 ml (~8.5 oz) of skim milk and drink twice
daily—once with breakfast, and again with dinner or an afternoon snack. All
participants followed a Mediterranean-style diet, but were asked to exclude
foods with cocoa, olive oil, red wine, tea, or fruits and vegetables with high
polyphenol levels.
Participants did have a slight weight gain of about 1 pound.
Total cholesterol and triglyceride levels were slightly (although not
significantly) lower. Cocoa did,
however, show anti-inflammatory effects. These were modest compared to those of
red wine, but significant nonetheless.
HDL (good cholesterol) levels were also significantly higher
after drinking chocolate milk.
“Our results suggest that regular consumption of nutritional doses of cocoa may have an effect on all initial phases of the atherosclerotic process in subjects at high risk of coronary heart disease,” authors wrote. “These anti-inflammatory effects, together with other previously reported effects, including those of antioxidant, anti-platelelet, and positive vascular effects, may contribute to the overall benefits of cocoa consumption against atherosclerosis.”
The study appears in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.
“In the past
decade, the decline in carbohydrate quality has been identified as a
likely culprit leading to increased adiposity and metabolic
disorders among children and adults,” authors write.
Eighty-five overweight Latino children from the Los Angeles
area were asked to participate in the study. Selection criteria included having
a family history of type 2 diabetes, likelihood of insulin resistance and
pre-diabetes. The children were between the ages of 11 and 17, a stage when
most begin developing eating habits. Researchers measured weight and body
composition. The children then underwent two trial periods to monitor the
effects of sugar and fiber intake.
The first trial lasted 16 weeks. Roughly one in three
children who reduced their added sugar intake had improved insulin secretion.
In this group, participants who consumed more fiber had a 10 percent reduction
in visceral adipose tissue (body fat).
The second trial was based on 24-hour self-reported dietary
recalls—two each year for two years. Although sugar intake didn’t have a
significant effect, fiber continued to produce positive results.
“Although the healthy reputation of dietary fiber
continues to grow, national data consistently show that children
consume less than one-half of the recommended amount of dietary
fiber,” authors write.
In addition to increasing insulin sensitivity, consuming
more fiber appeared to lower body mass. An decrease in dietary and insoluble
fiber intake increased fat tissue by 21 percent, compared with a 4 percent fat decrease
in children who consumed more.
Those consuming more fiber ate
more non-fried vegetables, fruit and legumes—all excellent sources of both
dietary and insoluble fibers. Other sources include nuts and seeds, whole
grains, and wheat bran.
The study provides great encouragement for individuals wishing to lose weight and improve metabolism. According to authors, even a small change could make a big difference:
"These findings suggest that fairly modest increases in fruit and vegetable intake of 1 or 2 servings and bean intake of 0.5 servings (equivalent to 1/4 cup) daily could have profound effects on lowering visceral adiposity and subsequent related metabolic disorders."
The review examined the
2007-2008 dental records of U.K. children, 211 of whom were Plymouth
five-year-olds. This number was just under the national average of 30.9
percent, but other regions were significantly worse.
The United States had similar
rates. Almost half of children ages 12 to 15 and about one in four American
children aged 2 to 5 is affected by tooth decay. Overall, it affects 4 million
children in the U.S. alone. Americans consumed an average of 23.8 pounds of
candy each in 2008, and with the
holiday season approaching, parents should be on the watch for cavities.
As Halloween approaches,
candy consumption is likely to skyrocket, but there are plenty of ways to
protect trick-or-treaters from tooth decay. Try these five tips to help reduce
the amount of sugar:
1. Choose reduced-sugar or sugar-free candies. Most stores carry equally tasty sugar-free or
reduced-sugar versions of Halloween favorites, including chocolate, peanut
butter cups and various filled or hard candies. These options won’t completely
eliminate the risk of tooth decay, but they can significantly cut sugar intake.
2. Give out unconventional goodies. When it comes to candy, sugar-free gum is your safest
bet. Candies that can melt and/or stick to teeth are the worst. Other ideas
might include stickers, press-on tattoos, plastic rings, or other small toys.
3.
Go to a Halloween program or event.
Choosing alternatives to trick-or-treating significantly cuts the candy haul.
These events are a great place for adults and children to socialize while
enjoying snacks and fun activities.
4. Set a limit. Put a limit on the amount of candy a child is allowed daily. This
helps prevent candy binges while reducing sugar consumption. Candy can also be
used as a reward for good behavior.
5. Donate excess candy. Many communities have programs that will send it to
troops or donate $1 for every pound of candy donated. Candy can also be donated
to fire stations, schools (for rewards), or other offices in the community.
Regularly brushing teeth and
reducing sugar intake can help prevent cavities. Consuming fewer sweets can
also help decrease children’s risk for obesity and diabetes. Dentists and parents
alike recommend that candy be consumed in moderation.
According to a report in The New England Journal of Medicine, sugar consumption has risen 30 percent over the last decade. For teens and children, soda accounts for 10-15 percent of total calories consumed. By removing just ¼ of the sugar in sweetened beverages, consumers can reduce annual caloric intake by 8,000 calories. This figure equates to roughly two pounds of weight in a year.
“Americans consume about 250 to 300 more calories daily today than they did several decades ago,” according to authors Kelly D. Brownell, Ph.D., and Thomas R. Frieden, M.D., M.P.H. “Though no single intervention will solve the obesity problem, that is hardly a reason to take no action.”
Such a high rate of sugar intake can do more than expand the waistline. It can also increase the risk of type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and other problems as a result of poor nutrition and weight gain. The objectives of those in support of a tax are twofold—to lower consumption, and to encourage soft drink producers to decrease the amount of caloric sweeteners in their products.
There are strong arguments on both sides. People arguing against the tax point out that food is necessary to survive. They believe raising prices will make it more difficult for low-income families to eat. Others argue that the poor would benefit the most. As the price of fresh produce and other healthier options goes up, soda and junk food prices are going down. People with tighter budgets consume more of the cheap but less nutritious foods and beverages.
“As Coca-Cola prices increased by 12 percent, sales dropped by 14.6 percent,” Frieden and Brownell wrote. Analysts believe that a 1 cent-per-ounce price increase could reduce consumption by as much as 10 percent. Justin Wilson, senior research analyst for the Center for Consumer Freedom, argues that such a tax is manipulation against the consumer. “The tax code should not be used as a method for social engineering, and that’s what this is,” he said. Legislators see the issue a little differently.
Higher prices have been used effectively in the past to reduce tobacco sales, and any revenue from a tax on soda could raise up to $14.9 billion per year. This money could be used to support health reforms or other programs. New Yorkers’ support rose by 20 percent when lawmakers suggested using these funds for obesity prevention programs.
Damage to the brain may begin
as early as 20 years before any complications are detected. Alzheimer’s begins
when neural tangles form in the entorhinal cortex. This causes the neurons to
function less efficiently, and the neurons eventually die, causing these areas
of the brain to shrink.
“We know that some part of
Alzheimer’s is related to genetic changes and as time goes on we discover more
and more of these changes,” explains lead author Nikos Scarmeas, M.D., and
associate professor of clinical neurology at Columbia. “But it is also possible
that non-genetic changes, including lifestyle and behavior, may also be affecting our brain health and our risk of
developing brain diseases like Alzheimer’s.”
The study examined 1,880
multi-ethnic individuals, average age 77, from Northern Manhattan in New York
City. The group was divided into two smaller groups, for which information on
both physical activity and mental status was available. Participants did not
show signs of dementia at the beginning of the study, and were followed from
1996 to 2006, measured every 18 months for neurological changes.
Participants were measured for
physical activity level (no physical activity, light activity such as golfing,
moderate activity like biking, or vigorous activity such as jogging) and how
well they stuck to the diet (on a scale of 0-9). Diet scores were higher for
individuals who consumed more fruits, vegetables, legumes and fish, and less
meat, dairy and saturated fats.
“Often times people who
exercise also follow a healthy diet and vice versa,” Scarmeas says. “We wanted
to tease out which of these two behaviors may be associated with lower risk for
AD, or if the combination of the two is associated with decreased risk even
further.”
Individuals who had low
physical activity had a 29-41% lower risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease
than those who were physically
inactive, while individuals with “much” physical activity further decreased
their risk by 37-50%. Strongly following a Mediterranean diet was associated
with a 40% risk reduction for Alzheimr’s. Individuals with high diet adherence and high activity individuals showed a much lower
absolute risk than those with low diet adherence and activity status, reduced
from 21% to 9%.
According to Scarmeas, this study emphasizes the importance of a healthy lifestyle. "We need to understand and learn more about the exact biological mechanisms that may connect physical activity and diet with the biological changes of Alzheimer's disease," he says. "This study is important because it shows that people may be able to alter their risk of developing Alzheimer's by modifying their lifestyles through diet and exercise."
Learn more about Alzheimer's disease by visiting Healia's Alzheimer's Community.

Vitamin
D deficiency can result in conditions such as rickets in children (usually
<11 ng/mL), and osteomalacia and osteoporosis in adults (typically levels
<25 ng/mL). Low levels of vitamin D also increase the risk of bone and heart
disease, and are also associated with higher blood pressure and lower calcium
and HDL cholesterol levels in later life.
Children classified as
“insufficient” had 15-29 ng/mL, while those who were classified as “deficient”
had levels of 15 ng/mLor less. Normal range, according to the National
Institute of Health, is 30-74 ng/mL.
The study is the largest of
its kind to date, gaining nationwide rather than just regional data. "We
expected the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency would be high,” says lead
author Juhi Kumar, M.D., M.P.H., of the Children's Hospital at Montefiore
Medical Center, “but the magnitude of the problem nationwide was
shocking."
Vitamin D deficiency is more
common for female children, those that are older, obese, drink less than one
glass of milk week, and those who spend four hours or greater on the computer
or watching television per day. African-American and Mexican-American children
also had a greater risk.
Melamed,
co-leader of the study, attributes part of this problem to lifestyle,
recommending parents send their children outdoors. One source of vitamin D is
UV-B sunlight, which converts cholesterol in the skin into vitamin D. She also recommends ditching
the sunscreen for a while: “Just 15 to 20 minutes a day should be enough…don't
put sunscreen on them until they've been out in the sun for 10 minutes, so they
get the good stuff but not sun damage.” Individuals with darker skin and those
who live in northern regions with less sun exposure should spend more time
outdoors.
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that children and teens get at least 400 IU per day, double the previous recommendation of 200IU per day. Good sources of vitamin D include fish, milk, eggs, cod liver oil, and fortified foods. Vitamin D levels can also be increased with the use of supplements.
The study's abstract is available online, and will be published in September's issue of Pediatrics.
It’s not always easy to find time to eat together, but a study published in the May issue of the Journal of Adolescent Health found that frequent family meals improve the eating habits and attitudes of middle school-aged children. Students who dined with their families six or seven times a week consumed fewer soft drinks, ate breakfast more often, ate more healthfully, and exhibited less concern about undue weight gain.
A new animal study suggests that eating blueberries may help reduce belly fat and lower the risk for heart disease and diabetes. Researchers the University of Michigan Cardiovascular Center compared the effects of adding powered freeze dried blueberries in low- or high-fat diets fed to lab rats. After 3 months, the rats that ate the diets with blueberry powder had less belly fat, lower triglycerides and cholesterol levels, and improved fasting glucose and insulin sensitivity, compared to the rats that did not eat blueberry powder. The study results were presented yesterday at the Experimental Biology meeting in New Orleans.
Five simple lifestyle changes could substantially decrease the incidence of colon cancer, reports a study published in the May issue of the European Journal of Cancer Prevention. Researchers studied how recommended lifestyle changes could affect predicted colon cancer rates of the British population over the next 24 years. The study estimates that 31.5% of colon cancers in British men and 18.4% of colon cancers in British women could be prevented if individuals made changes in diet, exercise, alcohol consumption and weight control.
As budgets continue to shrink as a result of the economic downturn, so does the amount of produce eaten by American families. An annual survey of moms, released Tuesday by the Produce for Better Health Foundation, found that although 60 percent of mothers believe their families don’t eat enough fruits and vegetables, they are serving less produce with meals and as snacks.About | Privacy Policy | Business Solutions | Advertise | Contact | Add Healia to your site
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