ScienceDaily: Nutrition News

Calcium supplements linked to longer lifespans in women

Wed, 22 May 2013 13:09:09 EDT

Taking a calcium supplement of up to 1,000 mg per day can help women live longer, according to a recent study.

Fish oil supplements may help fight against type 2 diabetes

Wed, 22 May 2013 13:09:09 EDT

Widely-used fish oil supplements modestly increase amounts of a hormone that is associated with lower risk of diabetes and heart disease, according to a new study.

Dietary advice on added sugar is damaging our health, warns heart expert

Tue, 21 May 2013 19:41:41 EDT

Dietary advice on added sugar is damaging our health, warns a cardiologist. He believes that "not only has this advice been manipulated by the food industry for profit but it is actually a risk factor for obesity and diet related disease."

Genetic risk for obesity found in many Mexican young adults

Tue, 21 May 2013 15:26:26 EDT

As many as 35 percent of Mexican young adults may have a genetic predisposition for obesity, said a University of Illinois scientist who conducted a study at the Universidad Autónoma de San Luis Potosw.

Mediterranean diet seems to boost aging brain power

Mon, 20 May 2013 18:54:54 EDT

A Mediterranean diet with added extra virgin olive oil or mixed nuts seems to improve the brain power of older people better than advising them to follow a low-fat diet, according to new research.

Compound in Mediterranean diet makes cancer cells 'mortal'

Mon, 20 May 2013 15:43:43 EDT

New research suggests that a compound abundant in the Mediterranean diet takes away cancer cells' "superpower" to escape death.

Making ice-cream more nutritious with meat left-overs

Mon, 20 May 2013 09:48:48 EDT

Most of the animal proteins found in the meat industry waste have, until now, been underutilized. The challenge is to transform such waste into food of higher functionality and added value.

Vicious cycle: Obesity sustained by changes in brain biochemistry

Thu, 16 May 2013 10:55:55 EDT

Scientists have shown that in the brain cells of rats, obesity impedes the production of a hormone that curbs appetite and inspires calorie burning. The root cause appears to be a breakdown in the protein-processing mechanism of the cells. In the lab, the researchers showed they could fix the breakdown with drugs.

Intestinal bacterium Akkermansia curbs obesity

Wed, 15 May 2013 11:37:37 EDT

A dominant and useful bacterium called Akkermansia muciniphila is present in the intestinal system of all humans, from babies to the elderly. This microorganism is found in the intestinal mucus layer that protects against intruders. Even more remarkable is that this bacterium has a favorable effect on the disrupted metabolism associated with obesity.

Fish oil may stall effects of junk food on brain

Tue, 14 May 2013 10:14:14 EDT

Data from more than 180 research papers suggests fish oils could minimize the effects that junk food can have on the brain, a review has shown.

Salt levels in food still dangerously high

Mon, 13 May 2013 17:40:40 EDT

The dangerously high salt levels in processed food and fast food remain unchanged, despite numerous calls from health agencies for the food industry to voluntarily reduce sodium. Excess sodium in the diet is a major cause of high blood pressure and prematurely kills up to 150,000 people in the US each year. The government must regulate sodium, the study says.

Individual and small-chain restaurant meals exceed recommended daily calorie needs

Mon, 13 May 2013 17:40:40 EDT

Researchers analyzed meals from independent and small-chain restaurants, which account for approximately 50% of the nation’s restaurant locations. They found that the average single meal contained two to three times the estimated calorie needs of an individual adult at a single meal and 66% of typical daily calorie requirements.

Fish oil doesn't seem to help age-related macular degeneration

Mon, 13 May 2013 15:24:24 EDT

A large-scale study of age-related macular degeneration suggests fish oil supplements containing omega-3 fatty acids do not alter the progression of age-related macular degeneration, and that lutein and zeaxanthin may be safer than beta-carotene in reducing risk of disease progression.

Super-sized citizens: The relationship between a country's fast-food outlets and its obesity rates

Fri, 10 May 2013 07:54:54 EDT

Many studies have linked the meals served at fast-food outlets to obesity, but is there a relationship between the number of restaurants in a country and the girth of its population?

How state and local governments can address the obesity epidemic

Thu, 09 May 2013 14:21:21 EDT

Researchers suggest that simple and innovative measures at the state and local level can play a significant role in promoting healthier eating habits.

Coumarin in cinnamon and cinnamon-based products and risk of liver damage

Wed, 08 May 2013 12:31:31 EDT

Many kinds of cinnamon, cinnamon-flavored foods, beverages and food supplements in the United States use a form of the spice that contains high levels of a natural substance that may cause liver damage in some sensitive people, scientists are reporting.

Whole walnuts and their extracted oil improve cardiovascular disease risk

Wed, 08 May 2013 12:30:30 EDT

Consumption of whole walnuts or their extracted oil can reduce cardiovascular risk through a mechanism other than simply lowering cholesterol, according to researchers.

Soy and tomato may be effective in preventing prostate cancer

Wed, 08 May 2013 11:43:43 EDT

Tomatoes and soy foods may be more effective in preventing prostate cancer when they are eaten together than when either is eaten alone, said a new study.

For adolescents, Subway food may not be much healthier than McDonald's, study finds

Tue, 07 May 2013 19:54:54 EDT

Subway may promote itself as the "healthy" fast food restaurant, but it may not be much healthier than McDonald's for adolescents, according to a new study. Subway meals had nearly as many calories as McDonald's, and both are likely to contribute toward overeating and obesity, researchers found.

Children's 'healthy' foods marketed at children are higher in fat, sugar and salt

Tue, 07 May 2013 13:44:44 EDT

Foods being marketed to children in UK supermarkets are less healthy than those marketed to the general population according to researchers who question whether more guidelines may be needed in regulating food marketed to children.

Study provides clarity on supplements for protection against blinding eye disease

Mon, 06 May 2013 09:56:56 EDT

Adding omega-3 fatty acids did not improve a combination of nutritional supplements commonly recommended for treating age-related macular degeneration (AMD), a major cause of vision loss among older Americans, according to a new study. The plant-derived antioxidants lutein and zeaxanthin also had no overall effect on AMD when added to the combination; however, they were safer than the related antioxidant beta-carotene.

Magnesium may be as important to kids' bone health as calcium

Sun, 05 May 2013 07:37:37 EDT

Parents are advised to make sure their children drink milk and eat other calcium-rich foods to build strong bones. Soon, they also may be urged to make sure their kids eat salmon, almonds and other foods high in magnesium -- another nutrient that may play an important role in bone health, according to a new study.

New mouse model confirms how type 2 diabetes develops

Fri, 03 May 2013 09:41:41 EDT

Researchers have developed a new mouse model that answers the question of what actually happens in the body when type 2 diabetes develops and how the body responds to drug treatment. Long-term studies of the middle-aged mouse model will be better than previous studies at confirming how drugs for type 2 diabetes function in humans.

Dieting youth show greater brain reward activity in response to food

Thu, 02 May 2013 14:26:26 EDT

Research results imply that dieting characterized by meal skipping and fasting would be less successful than weight loss efforts characterized by intake of low energy dense healthy foods.

Diet, 'anti-aging' supplements may help reverse blood vessel abnormality

Wed, 01 May 2013 19:31:31 EDT

A diet low in grains, beans and certain vegetables -- combined with "anti-aging" supplements -- improved blood vessel function, in a new study.

Heart-healthy diet helps men lower bad cholesterol, regardless of weight loss

Wed, 01 May 2013 19:31:31 EDT

A heart-healthy diet helped men at high risk for heart disease reduce their bad cholesterol, regardless of whether they lost weight, in a new study.

Vitamin D: More may not be better; Benefits in healthy adults wear off at higher doses, research suggests

Wed, 01 May 2013 19:29:29 EDT

In recent years, healthy people have been bombarded by stories in the media and on health websites warning about the dangers of too-low vitamin D levels, and urging high doses of supplements to protect against everything from hypertension to hardening of the arteries to diabetes. But new research finds that blood levels of the so-called "sunshine vitamin" that are higher than the top of the range suggested by the Institute of Medicine confer no additional benefit. This finding, combined with results of a previous study noting potential harm from higher vitamin D levels in healthy people, has urged investigators to prescribe caution.

The biology behind binge eating

Wed, 01 May 2013 10:13:13 EDT

Female rats are much more likely to binge eat than male rats, according to new research that provides some of the strongest evidence yet that biology plays a role in eating disorders.

Mild iodine deficiency in womb associated with lower scores on children's literacy tests

Tue, 30 Apr 2013 13:14:14 EDT

Children who did not receive enough iodine in the womb performed worse on literacy tests as 9-year-olds than their peers, according to a recent study.

What triggers those late-night snack cravings?

Tue, 30 Apr 2013 11:03:03 EDT

The circadian system increases hunger and cravings for sweet, starchy and salty foods in the evenings, according to new research. Eating higher-calorie foods in the evening can be counterproductive if weight loss is a goal since the human body handles nutrients differently depending on the time of day.

Mediterranean diet linked to preserving memory

Mon, 29 Apr 2013 16:46:46 EDT

A new study suggests that the Mediterranean diet, which emphasizes consuming foods that contain omega-3 fatty acids found in fish, chicken and salad dressing, and avoiding saturated fats, meat and dairy foods, may be linked to preserving memory and thinking abilities.

Treatment by naturopathic doctors shows reduction in cardiovascular risk factors

Mon, 29 Apr 2013 13:05:05 EDT

Counseling and treatment with naturopathic care as well as enhanced usual care reduced the prevalence of metabolic syndrome, a risk factor for heart disease, by 17 percent over a year for participants in a randomized controlled trial.

Will green tea help you lose weight?

Mon, 29 Apr 2013 11:47:47 EDT

Green tea extract in tandem with an additional compound could be effective for body weight control and type 2 diabetes, a new study in mice indicates. Evidence has shown that green tea extract may be an effective herbal remedy useful for weight control and helping to regulate glucose in type 2 diabetes.

Conversion from 'bad' fat to good fat

Sun, 28 Apr 2013 14:49:49 EDT

Scientists have shown for the first time that white and brown fat cells can directly interconvert in a living organism from one type to the other. This finding challenges the prevailing belief that white and brown fat cells arise solely from distinct precursor cells. The knowledge will aid in the design of novel strategies to treat obesity.

National survey highlights perceived importance of dietary protein to prevent weight gain

Fri, 26 Apr 2013 11:56:56 EDT

Atkins Diet, Zone Diet, South Beach Diet, etc., etc., etc. Chances are you have known someone who has tried a high protein diet. In a new study, researchers found a relatively high proportion of women who reported using the practice of "eating more protein" to prevent weight gain, which was associated with reported weight loss.

Intermittent fasting may help those with diabetes and cardiovascular disease, study suggests

Fri, 26 Apr 2013 11:54:54 EDT

Intermittent fasting is all the rage, but scientific evidence showing how such regimes affect human health is not always clear cut. Now a scientific review suggests that fasting diets may help those with diabetes and cardiovascular disease, alongside established weight loss claims.

Cardio could hold key to cancer cure

Fri, 26 Apr 2013 07:38:38 EDT

Regular exercise has been proven to reduce the chance of developing liver cancer in a world-first mice study that carries hope for patients at risk from hepatocellular carcinoma.

Gut bacteria byproduct predicts heart attack and stroke

Wed, 24 Apr 2013 18:52:52 EDT

A microbial byproduct of intestinal bacteria contributes to heart disease and serves as an accurate screening tool for predicting future risks of heart attack, stroke and death in persons not otherwise identified by traditional risk factors and blood tests, according to new research.

Drinking one 12-ounce sugar-sweetened soft drink a day can increase the risk of type 2 diabetes by 22 percent, study suggests

Wed, 24 Apr 2013 18:52:52 EDT

Drinking one (or one extra) 12-ounce serving size of sugar-sweetened soft drink a day can be enough to increase the risk of developing type 2 diabetes by 22 percent, a new study suggests.

Dietary medium chain triglycerides prevent nonalcoholic fatty liver disease

Wed, 24 Apr 2013 16:11:11 EDT

The incidence of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) associated with obesity is increasing rapidly and is a major source of liver pathology. A new study suggests dietary substitution of saturated fat in the form of medium chain triglycerides (MCT) for polyunsaturated fats can prevent progression of NAFLD-associated liver injury and that MCT containing oils could be a new NAFLD therapy.

Binge eating curbed by deep brain stimulation in animal model

Tue, 23 Apr 2013 21:17:17 EDT

Deep brain stimulation (DBS) in a precise region of the brain appears to reduce caloric intake and prompt weight loss in obese animal models, according to a new study.

Binge drinking in college can lead to heart disease later in life

Tue, 23 Apr 2013 16:19:19 EDT

Frequent binge drinking in college can cause more than a hangover. Regularly consuming multiple drinks in a short window of time can cause immediate changes in circulation that increase an otherwise healthy young adult's risk of developing cardiovascular disease later in life, according to new research.

Vitamin E identified as potential weapon against obesity

Tue, 23 Apr 2013 13:40:40 EDT

A potential new way to fight obesity-related illness has been uncovered, thanks to a serendipitous finding.

Drug reduces fat by blocking blood vessels

Tue, 23 Apr 2013 10:21:21 EDT

Researchers have long known that cancerous tumors grow collections of abnormal blood cells, the fuel that feeds this disease and keeps it growing. Now, new evidence in an animal model suggests that blood vessels in the fat tissue of obese individuals could provide the same purpose —- and could provide the key to a new way for people to lose weight.

Quit smoking? Vitamin E may give extra boost to heart health

Tue, 23 Apr 2013 09:08:08 EDT

Taking a specific form of a vitamin E supplement can accelerate the health benefits that occur when people quit smoking, new research suggests.

Mushrooms can provide as much vitamin D as supplements

Mon, 22 Apr 2013 13:28:28 EDT

Researchers have discovered that eating mushrooms containing Vitamin D2 can be as effective at increasing and maintaining vitamin D levels (25–hydroxyvitamin D) as taking supplemental vitamin D2 or vitamin D3.

Grape intake may protect against metabolic syndrome-related organ damage

Mon, 22 Apr 2013 11:12:12 EDT

Consuming grapes may help protect against organ damage associated with the progression of metabolic syndrome, according to research presented this week at the Experimental Biology conference in Boston.

Change diet, exercise habits at same time for best results, study says

Mon, 22 Apr 2013 10:13:13 EDT

Researchers have discovered that focusing on changing exercise and diet at the same time gives a bigger boost than tackling them sequentially. They also found that focusing on changing diet first -- an approach that many weight-loss programs advocate -- may actually interfere with establishing a consistent exercise routine.

More evidence berries have health-promoting properties

Sun, 21 Apr 2013 15:34:34 EDT

Adding more color to your diet in the form of berries is encouraged by many nutrition experts. The protective effect of berries against inflammation has been documented in many studies. Diets supplemented with blueberries and strawberries have also been shown to improve behavior and cognitive functions in stressed young rats.

High-salt diet and ulcer bug combine to increase risk of cancer

Thu, 18 Apr 2013 16:23:23 EDT

Numerous epidemiologic studies have shown that a diet high in salt is associated with an increased risk of gastric cancer. Now researchers have shown that high dietary salt combined with infection by the ulcer-causing bacterium Helicobacter pylori greatly increases the risk of cancer.

Experts examine Mediterranean diet's health effects for older adults

Thu, 18 Apr 2013 12:57:57 EDT

According to a new study, a baseline adherence to a Mediterranean diet is associated with a lower risk of hyperuricemia, defined as a serum uric acid concentration higher than 7mg/dl in men and higher than 6mg/dl in women.

More efforts needed to regulate dietary supplements, experts urge

Thu, 18 Apr 2013 12:49:49 EDT

Dietary supplements accounted for more than half the Class 1 drugs recalled by the US Food and Drug Administration from 2004-12, meaning they contained substances that could cause serious health problems or even death, a new study has found.

Making fruit easier to eat increases sales and consumption in school cafeterias

Wed, 17 Apr 2013 16:50:50 EDT

People believe that children avoid fruit because of the taste and allure of alternative packaged snacks. Researchers have concluded that the size of the snack counts the most. Apple sales in schools with fruit slicers increased by 71 percent and the percentage of students who ate more than half of their apple increased by 73 percent, an effect that lasted long after the study was over.

Clenbuterol in livestock farming may affect results of doping controls in sport

Wed, 17 Apr 2013 11:40:40 EDT

The illegal use of clenbuterol in livestock farming may affect the results of doping controls in sport, a new study concludes.

What really makes us fat? Article questions our understanding of the cause of obesity

Tue, 16 Apr 2013 21:47:47 EDT

If we are to make any progress in tackling the obesity crisis, we have to look again at what really makes us fat, claims a new article.

Scientists transform cellulose into starch: Potential food source derived from non-food plants

Tue, 16 Apr 2013 08:53:53 EDT

A team of researchers has succeeded in transforming cellulose into starch, a process that has the potential to provide a previously untapped nutrient source from plants not traditionally though of as food crops.

Drinking cup of beetroot juice daily may help lower blood pressure

Mon, 15 Apr 2013 17:22:22 EDT

A cup of beetroot juice a day may help reduce your blood pressure, according to a small study.

No evidence drugs, vitamins, supplements help prevent cognitive decline in healthy older adults

Mon, 15 Apr 2013 15:14:14 EDT

A review has found no evidence that drugs, herbal products or vitamin supplements help prevent cognitive decline in healthy older adults.

Excess vitamin E intake not a health concern, study suggests

Mon, 15 Apr 2013 15:14:14 EDT

Despite concerns that have been expressed about possible health risks from high intake of vitamin E, a new review concludes that biological mechanisms exist to routinely eliminate excess levels of the vitamin, and they make it almost impossible to take a harmful amount.

Following a Western style diet may lead to greater risk of premature death

Mon, 15 Apr 2013 12:45:45 EDT

Data from a new study of British adults suggest that adherence to a "Western-style" diet (fried and sweet food, processed and red meat, refined grains, and high-fat dairy products) reduces a person's likelihood of achieving older ages in good health and with higher functionality.