MedWorm provides a medical RSS filtering service. Over 6000 RSS medical sources are combined and output via different filters. This feed contains the latest medical blog items that have been tagged with 'carbohydrate'. Sat, 03 Sep 2011 02:21:46 +0100 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4349652&cid=t_144426_134_f&fid=35187&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FDiabetesDaily%2F%7E3%2FBiv6dcI4Z0M%2Fthe-magic-of-routine.php In order to understand what I needed to do to change, I needed to understand what had changed.Besides the obvious of what happened in the past year - serious acute illness and two major surgeries, along with other sources of stress that arose - my routine changed.Shortly before I entered the hospital the first time in December 2009, my employer moved offices.  Instead of a 10-minute walk from the bus to the front door of the building, the new bus stop is now right in front of the building in which I work.  That means I lost 20 minutes of walking time each and every day, something that apparently helped keep my weight in an ideal range, even in the midst of prior episodes of inactivity and poor eating habits.  I got sick of low-to-no-carbohydrate sausage or eggs every morning... Diabetes Daily blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4349652 Fri, 14 Jan 2011 12:22:00 +0100 4349652 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4298670&cid=t_144426_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2010%2F12%2F29%2Fcalories-in-disguise%2F Low-carb proponents claim that eating a low-carb diet enhances weight loss irrespective of caloric content.  Low-fat proponents often make the same claim.  Many other advocates of special diets make similar claims: It’s not calories, it’s something else causing weight loss. In support of their diet’s efficacy, proponents often cite their own successes or the success of other followers. However, they often fail to acknowledge that many other people lose weight following radically different weight-loss plans.  And never mind the scientific research, as it provides evidence that all successful weight loss programs share a common characteristic: create a calorie deficit on a consistent basis and weight loss follows. Calorie Defined A calorie is a unit of energy. It is the amount ... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4298670 Wed, 29 Dec 2010 13:20:17 +0100 4298670 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4249196&cid=t_144426_134_f&fid=35187&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FDiabetesDaily%2F%7E3%2FIibUXVa9Vu0%2Fday-5-of-the-crud.php It seems like every time I get back on track with regards to counting carbohydrates and exercise, I end up knocked down by some respiratory concern or another.  (Does this happen to you?  I'd like to know I'm not the only one.) The past few days are no exception - I have a cruddy cold, complete with cruddy high blood sugars. When I have a cold, my appetite grows (what seems) exponentially.  I've found myself craving my mom's chicken noodle soup, complete with noodles from scratch.  I never even liked the soup, except for those darn carb-filled noodles, yet the craving has included all the ingredients of the soup with this particular cold. Since I don't have the recipe, I'm finding comfort in batches of the spicy butternut squash chili I cooked in the croc... Diabetes Daily blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4249196 Fri, 10 Dec 2010 17:00:15 +0100 4249196 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4220401&cid=t_144426_134_f&fid=35187&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FDiabetesDaily%2F%7E3%2Fvx0jZ5Kb1m8%2Fmany-happy-returns.php Some days were quite dark and lonely and just plain sad, but somehow I made it through November.  Even though I didn't nearly exercise the 150 minutes a week I set out to do at the beginning of the month, I didn't let November fly by without a few workouts, a few days of physical chores in the house and out in the yard, and letting my twin fifteen-month-old nieces chase me around their house.  Even though I didn't pay nearly enough attention to carbohydrate counts, I managed to end the month with a string of fasting blood sugars under 126 mg/dl, the target set with my endocrinologist's help.  The visit back to family in Wisconsin brightened my spirits a bit.  Hugs from the parents, smiles and laughs from those nieces of mine, a huge and delicious T... Diabetes Daily blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4220401 Wed, 01 Dec 2010 19:38:40 +0100 4220401 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3961845&cid=t_144426_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2010%2F09%2F12%2Fprozac-and-potatoes%2F In her national bestseller “Potatoes Not Prozac,” Kathleen DesMaisons offers a seven-step dietary plan for sugar-sensitive people like me. I’ve tried to implement her suggestions into my diet because, as a recovering drunk and depressive, sugar can throw me into an emotional mess that gets downright ugly. A diet rich in fiber and protein is crucial to my mental health — but for me, it’s Prozac AND potatoes. Here’s what DesMaisons proposes: Keep a food journal. The journal keeps you in relationship to your body. It reminds you of the connection between what you eat and how you feel. Maintain your blood sugar level. Stay steady and clear. Always have breakfast. Eat three meals a day at regular intervals. Eat brown things (whole grains, beans, potatoes, a... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3961845 Sun, 12 Sep 2010 14:32:51 +0100 3961845 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3795078&cid=t_144426_167_f&fid=38576&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.drbriffa.com%2Fblog%2F2010%2F07%2F27%2Fdiabetes-costs-out-of-control-and-why-this-is-no-surprise-given-standard-dietary-advice-for-diabetics%2F I saw this story on the BBC website this morning. It concerns the costs of treating those with diabetes. Apparently, the cost of drugs for managing diabetes is rising (a lot), and now accounts for 7 per cent of the total amount spent on prescribing in the UK. Between 2000 and 2008 prescriptions for diabetic [...] (Source: Dr John Biffa's Blog) Dr John Biffa's Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3795078 Tue, 27 Jul 2010 14:46:34 +0100 3795078 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3784517&cid=t_144426_167_f&fid=38576&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.drbriffa.com%2Fblog%2F2010%2F07%2F23%2Fnonsense-study-being-used-to-claim-that-meat-causes-weight-gain%2F There’s a study doing the rounds that is being reported as evidence that ‘Atkins’ was wrong’. Apparently, according to those reporting the study, it shows that eating more meat generally causes increased weight gain over time [1]. To see a typical way in which this study is being reported, see here. Sitting on a plane yesterday [...] (Source: Dr John Biffa's Blog) Dr John Biffa's Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3784517 Fri, 23 Jul 2010 13:58:44 +0100 3784517 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3776635&cid=t_144426_167_f&fid=38576&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.drbriffa.com%2Fblog%2F2010%2F07%2F21%2Fmultivitamin-and-mineral-supplementation-found-to-help-fat-loss-and-speed-metabolic-rate%2F While I am interested in many aspects of health, and in particular providing information that individuals can use to exert more control over their health and wellbeing, I do confess to having a particular interest in weight loss. One reason for this is that its an issue that is quite commonly on people’s mind. As [...] (Source: Dr John Biffa's Blog) Dr John Biffa's Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3776635 Wed, 21 Jul 2010 22:23:32 +0100 3776635 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3754117&cid=t_144426_167_f&fid=38576&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.drbriffa.com%2Fblog%2F2010%2F07%2F14%2Fnot-just-what-you-eat-but-how-much-think-youve-eaten-of-it-determine-how-satisfying-it-is%2F When it comes to advising about what to eat for fat loss, I’m very much into quality over quantity. Eating a protein-rich diet which is relatively low in carb tends to work very well for the purposes of fat loss, even when no restriction is placed on calorie intake. Why? Well, one reason might be [...] (Source: Dr John Biffa's Blog) Dr John Biffa's Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3754117 Wed, 14 Jul 2010 23:36:03 +0100 3754117 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3726806&cid=t_144426_167_f&fid=38576&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.drbriffa.com%2Fblog%2F2010%2F07%2F05%2Fare-wholegrains-good-for-the-heart%2F The conventional nutritional approach for ‘heart health’ is a low-fat (specifically, low saturated fat), high-carbohydrate diet. For many reasons, this is not the sort of diet I would generally recommend to ward off heart disease. For more about this, click here. One particular form of carbohydrate that has been vigorously promoted for its heart-healthy properties are [...] (Source: Dr John Biffa's Blog) Dr John Biffa's Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3726806 Mon, 05 Jul 2010 21:43:38 +0100 3726806 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3699728&cid=t_144426_167_f&fid=38576&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.drbriffa.com%2Fblog%2F2010%2F06%2F25%2Fstudy-reminds-us-of-the-superior-performance-of-low-carb-diets-over-low-fat-ones-for-weight-loss%2F Where weight loss is concerned, there are many ways to skin a cat. But the two most commonly applied dietary strategies are low-fat and low-carb. This week I came across a report of a study here in which obese women were put on either a ‘low-fat’ or ‘lower-carb’ diet for a period of 12 weeks. [...] (Source: Dr John Biffa's Blog) Dr John Biffa's Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3699728 Fri, 25 Jun 2010 13:35:27 +0100 3699728 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3577669&cid=t_144426_167_f&fid=38576&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.drbriffa.com%2Fblog%2F2010%2F05%2F18%2Fbeware-low-carb-propaganda%2F There was a nice piece in The Times here in the UK on Saturday about my latest book Waist Disposal (see here). This piece, and a small piece that ran in another publication did seem to have some impact: Waist Disposal ended up rocketing up the amazon.co.uk ranking and spent a couple of days in [...] (Source: Dr John Biffa's Blog) Dr John Biffa's Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3577669 Tue, 18 May 2010 23:05:59 +0100 3577669 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3560431&cid=t_144426_134_f&fid=35187&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FDiabetesDaily%2F%7E3%2Fsc3kV61oHOk%2Fdiabetes-blog-week-to-carb-or-not-to-carb.php Karen came up with a fantastic idea to unite the diabetes blogging community this week - a full seven days of prompting topics for us to ponder - in other words, a Diabetes Blog Week.  Check out the long list of participants!  Today's topic, "To carb or not to carb", is described as:"Today let's blog about what we eat.  And perhaps what we don't eat.  Some believe a low carb diet is important in diabetes management, while others believe carbs are fine as long as they are counted and bolused for.  Which side of the fence do you fall on?  What kinds of things do you eat for meals and snacks?  What foods do you deem bolus-worthy?  What other foodie wisdom would you like to share?"***Oh, my ever-changing views on the carbohydrate and the role i... Diabetes Daily blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3560431 Thu, 13 May 2010 14:19:45 +0100 3560431 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3542906&cid=t_144426_167_f&fid=38576&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.drbriffa.com%2Fblog%2F2010%2F05%2F07%2Fhigher-protein-diet-with-resistance-exercise-best-for-fat-loss%2F There are a myriad of ways to lose weight, but I lean generally towards diets relatively low in carbohydrate and rich in fat. This is on the basis that such diets consistently out-perform diets explicitly low in fat in terms of weight loss. Also, such diets tend to, generally speaking, bring about desirable changes in [...] (Source: Dr John Biffa's Blog) Dr John Biffa's Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3542906 Fri, 07 May 2010 16:12:50 +0100 3542906 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3538048&cid=t_144426_87_f&fid=34867&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thediabetesblog.com%2F2010%2F05%2F06%2Fcounting-carbohydrates-an-easy-way-to-manage-diabetes%2F Filed under: DietCounting carbohydrates can help diabetics manage their type 2 diabetes and control their blood sugar. Preventing high blood sugar is key because it gives diabetics the flexibility to eat what choose their foods, and it increases their sense of control when managing diabetes. After a few attempts, most diabetics gain confidence as they measure the sugars and starches that they put into their bodies. To learn how to count carbs, find a registered dietitian or certified diabetes educator. Both have experience teaching diabetics about how to manage their diet. Check out more information on AOL Health. Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments (Source: The Diabetes Blog) The Diabetes Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3538048 Wed, 05 May 2010 23:00:00 +0100 3538048 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3519756&cid=t_144426_167_f&fid=38576&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.drbriffa.com%2Fblog%2F2010%2F04%2F30%2Fdiabetics-continue-to-be-misinformed-regarding-healthy-eating%2F I was giving a presentation last night to a group of individuals of Indian sub-continent extraction. As a group, south Asians appear to be particularly prone to cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes. And judging by the expanded waistlines in the audience, this group were no difference. Part of my presentation focused on the potential [...] (Source: Dr John Biffa's Blog) Dr John Biffa's Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3519756 Fri, 30 Apr 2010 08:04:23 +0100 3519756 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3449202&cid=t_144426_167_f&fid=38576&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.drbriffa.com%2Fblog%2F2010%2F04%2F07%2Fis-eating-less-saturated-fat-and-more-carb-good-for-the-heart-actually-the-reverse-may-be-true%2F If you want to cut your risk of heart disease, reduce intake of saturated fat and eat more carbohydrate. That’s what most doctors, dieticians and Governments would have us believe. So it must be true, right? It’s a message we’ve heard a thousand times, so surely is based on sound science? So what does happen when [...] (Source: Dr John Biffa's Blog) Dr John Biffa's Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3449202 Wed, 07 Apr 2010 20:28:30 +0100 3449202 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3425152&cid=t_144426_167_f&fid=38576&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.drbriffa.com%2Fblog%2F2010%2F03%2F31%2Fcould-advising-people-to-eat-less-and-exercise-more-increase-their-risk-of-getting-fatter%2F Some time ago one of my blogs focused on the thoughts of Dr Andrew Wadge - Chief Scientist at the Food Standards Agency (FSA) in the UK. The blog specifically focused on his broadside at ‘detox’ regimes. I can understand that someone may be a bit sceptical of such regimes. However, if Dr Wadge [...] (Source: Dr John Biffa's Blog) Dr John Biffa's Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3425152 Wed, 31 Mar 2010 17:02:22 +0100 3425152 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3335586&cid=t_144426_167_f&fid=38576&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.drbriffa.com%2Fblog%2F2010%2F03%2F05%2Fmy-personal-fat-loss-experience-and-forthcoming-book%2F I have since last June been undertaking a bit of a personal experiment. Over couple of years I’d found I’d somehow managed to accumulate some added fat to my midriff. At 43, I suppose ‘middle-aged’ spread might have had something to do with it. But also when I looked at my diet with as much [...] (Source: Dr John Biffa's Blog) Dr John Biffa's Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3335586 Fri, 05 Mar 2010 16:39:42 +0100 3335586 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3276115&cid=t_144426_167_f&fid=38576&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.drbriffa.com%2Fblog%2F2010%2F02%2F16%2Fhigher-protein-diet-plus-resistance-exercise-aids-weight-and-fat-loss-in-type-2-diabetics%2F Where weight and fat loss is concerned, I favour a relatively low-carbohydrate, high-protein diet on the basis that such diets generally outperform low-fat, carb-rich diets traditionally advocated for weight loss. A lower-carb diet I think may have particular advantages for diabetics because, well, they have difficulty handling carbohydrate as a result of impaired insulin function [...] (Source: Dr John Biffa's Blog) Dr John Biffa's Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3276115 Tue, 16 Feb 2010 12:12:51 +0100 3276115 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3251431&cid=t_144426_167_f&fid=38576&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.drbriffa.com%2Fblog%2F2010%2F02%2F08%2Fmy-friends-son-reminds-me-how-important-blood-sugar-control-is-to-energy-and-mood%2F I was talking to a son of a friend of mine over the weekend. Mark (not his real name) is 18 and has been finding his energy and motivation can flag at times. Some of the time he can be energised and motivated. Other times he feels lethargic and “can’t be bothered with life”. Naturally, [...] (Source: Dr John Biffa's Blog) Dr John Biffa's Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3251431 Mon, 08 Feb 2010 10:29:53 +0100 3251431 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3182402&cid=t_144426_167_f&fid=38576&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.drbriffa.com%2Fblog%2F2010%2F01%2F18%2Fis-another-reason-why-%25e2%2580%2598primal%25e2%2580%2599-and-low-carb-diets-work-because-they%25e2%2580%2599re-simple%2F I was attempting to give a friend and colleague some writing advice on Friday. Here it is in a nutshell: don’t be flowery and literary with your writing – keep is short and simple. Because when communicating information of any sort (including health information), I believe the chances of someone acting on it (in the [...] (Source: Dr John Biffa's Blog) Dr John Biffa's Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3182402 Mon, 18 Jan 2010 17:02:37 +0100 3182402 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3052422&cid=t_144426_167_f&fid=38576&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.drbriffa.com%2Fblog%2F2009%2F12%2F03%2Fcinnamon-shows-promise-as-blood-sugar-lowering-agent%2F As a general rule, those seeking to achieve long-lasting health and vitality would do well to ensure that blood sugar levels do not rise too high. One reason for this is that high blood sugar levels increase ‘glycation’ in the body, when sugar binds to proteins to damage them. The complications of glycation can be [...] (Source: Dr John Biffa's Blog) Dr John Biffa's Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3052422 Thu, 03 Dec 2009 00:17:04 +0100 3052422 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3045056&cid=t_144426_167_f&fid=38576&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.drbriffa.com%2Fblog%2F2009%2F12%2F01%2Fhigh-gi-diet-leads-to-reduced-fat-burning-and-increased-fatness-in-mice%2F As a general rule, scientists, doctors and dieticians subscribe to the view that when it comes to weight management, ‘a calorie is a calorie’. Essentially, this means that weight loss is the aim, we need to consume fewer calories than we burn, and as long as we do, then the form that these calories come [...] (Source: Dr John Biffa's Blog) Dr John Biffa's Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3045056 Tue, 01 Dec 2009 01:33:20 +0100 3045056 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3036066&cid=t_144426_167_f&fid=38576&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.drbriffa.com%2Fblog%2F2009%2F11%2F27%2Fabdominal-obesity-again-linked-with-increased-risk-of-dementia%2F Most of us have an ambition of living to a ripe old age. At the same time, many of fear the loss of our mental faculties as we age. For at least some of us, the spectre of dementia looms large in our minds. One potential modifiable risk factor for dementia concerns derangement in blood [...] (Source: Dr John Biffa's Blog) Dr John Biffa's Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3036066 Fri, 27 Nov 2009 23:12:52 +0100 3036066 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3012662&cid=t_144426_167_f&fid=38576&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.drbriffa.com%2Fblog%2F2009%2F11%2F20%2Fdo-regular-exercisers-really-benefit-by-eating-a-load-of-bread-and-pasta%2F I have been doing some lecturing this week, and part of the information I imparted concerned the potential advantages of eating a diet relatively low in carbohydrate. It’s not uncommon for individuals to ask about the potential effect of low-carb eating on sporting performance. This question is usually rooted in the notion that those engaging [...] (Source: Dr John Biffa's Blog) Dr John Biffa's Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3012662 Fri, 20 Nov 2009 16:57:40 +0100 3012662 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2905143&cid=t_144426_167_f&fid=38576&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.drbriffa.com%2Fblog%2F2009%2F10%2F19%2Fis-there-such-as-thing-as-a-metabolic-advantage%2F Last Friday my blog focused on a study which found that fat intake (total fat, as well as levels of, saturated, unsaturated and polyunsaturated fat) appeared to have no impact on change in body weight over a period of several years. Partly in an attempt to explain how this can be so, I outlined the [...] (Source: Dr John Biffa's Blog) Dr John Biffa's Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2905143 Mon, 19 Oct 2009 15:57:54 +0100 2905143 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2899223&cid=t_144426_167_f&fid=38576&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.drbriffa.com%2Fblog%2F2009%2F10%2F16%2Fmore-evidence-comes-to-light-that-fat-is-not-fattening%2F We all know that fat is fattening right? (It is called fat, after all.) But not so fast, because as I detail here, for fat to get ‘fixed’ in the fat cells, a substance known as glycerol is required. Glycerol itself is supplied from a substance known as alpha glycerol phosphate (also known as glycerol-3-phosphate), [...] (Source: Dr John Biffa's Blog) Dr John Biffa's Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2899223 Fri, 16 Oct 2009 14:35:40 +0100 2899223 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2855866&cid=t_144426_167_f&fid=38576&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.drbriffa.com%2Fblog%2F2009%2F10%2F02%2Fcan-higher-protein-diets-help-weight-loss-maintenance%2F A lot of people find they can lose excess weight reasonably effectively. However, maintaining that weight loss can be another matter. It’s not uncommon for the pounds that have been shed to slowly return, often with a bit of additional interest too. The reasons for failure in this respect are varied and are perhaps the [...] (Source: Dr John Biffa's Blog) Dr John Biffa's Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2855866 Fri, 02 Oct 2009 13:29:36 +0100 2855866 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2832425&cid=t_144426_167_f&fid=38576&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.drbriffa.com%2Fblog%2F2009%2F09%2F25%2Ffructose-found-to-rapidly-raise-blood-pressure-and-induce-metabolic-syndrome-in-men%2F Last month, one of my blogs focused on a paper from the American Heart Association which warned of the hazards of eating sugar on cardiovascular health. It put at least some focus on the sugar fructose, which makes up half of table sugar (sucrose), as well as being found in fruit and vegetables, honey and [...] (Source: Dr John Biffa's Blog) Dr John Biffa's Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2832425 Fri, 25 Sep 2009 10:30:23 +0100 2832425 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2820625&cid=t_144426_167_f&fid=38576&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.drbriffa.com%2Fblog%2F2009%2F09%2F22%2Fhigh-glycaemic-load-diets-associated-with-insulin-resistance%2F When carbohydrate is eaten, blood sugar (glucose) levels usually rise. The speed and extent to which blood sugar releases into the bloodstream has important implications for health. For example, the greater the level of blood sugar disruption, the more insulin will tend to be secreted by a functioning pancreas in response. High levels of this [...] (Source: Dr John Biffa's Blog) Dr John Biffa's Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2820625 Tue, 22 Sep 2009 13:21:33 +0100 2820625 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2766332&cid=t_144426_167_f&fid=38576&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.drbriffa.com%2Fblog%2F2009%2F09%2F04%2Fthe-myriad-of-reasons-why-artificial-sweetners-may-not-deliver-on-their-weight-loss-promise%2F Artificial sweeteners enhance the palatability of foods but, unlike sugar, are virtually devoid of calories. The implicit promise here is consuming them, rather than sugar, is a better option for those seeking to control their weight. Now while the idea that artificial sweeteners offer advantages in weight control makes sense, you might be surprised to [...] (Source: Dr John Biffa's Blog) Dr John Biffa's Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2766332 Fri, 04 Sep 2009 09:36:53 +0100 2766332 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2744324&cid=t_144426_167_f&fid=38576&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.drbriffa.com%2Fblog%2F2009%2F08%2F28%2Fwhy-human-not-mice-studies-are-the-most-appropriate-for-judging-the-effects-of-diets-on-human-health%2F I’ve said before that while I don’t believe any one diet is ideal for everyone, I favour diets lower in carb and higher in protein (and also fat) than the diets traditionally recommended as ‘healthy’. Such diets generally give better results for weight loss than, say, low fat diets. They also tend to be extremely [...] (Source: Dr John Biffa's Blog) Dr John Biffa's Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2744324 Sat, 29 Aug 2009 10:21:43 +0100 2744324 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2738038&cid=t_144426_167_f&fid=38576&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.drbriffa.com%2Fblog%2F2009%2F08%2F26%2Famerican-heart-association-highlights-hazards-of-consuming-sugar-including-fructose%2F I recently mentioned in a blog that I’d tidied up my diet a bit (in conjunction with some mindful eating). Part of the ‘tidying up a bit’ meant taking out ALL foods with added sugar from my diet. I don’t consume much added sugar habitually, but I am generally no angel either. So, I won’t [...] (Source: Dr John Biffa's Blog) Dr John Biffa's Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2738038 Wed, 26 Aug 2009 21:33:30 +0100 2738038 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2730385&cid=t_144426_167_f&fid=38576&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.drbriffa.com%2Fblog%2F2009%2F08%2F24%2Fcould-consumption-of-olive-oil-help-protect-against-obesity%2F I’m currently in Portugal, and practically all of my main meals have come in the form of meat or fish plus salad. The salads have come dressed with olive oil, and I’ve noticed here this is used quite sparingly. Part of the reason for that is that there is a common perception here that olive [...] (Source: Dr John Biffa's Blog) Dr John Biffa's Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2730385 Mon, 24 Aug 2009 21:26:15 +0100 2730385 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2678894&cid=t_144426_167_f&fid=38576&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.drbriffa.com%2Fblog%2F2009%2F08%2F07%2Fis-aspartame-about-to-be-banned-i-hope-so%2F Aspartame is an artificial sweetener which, once consumed, breaks down into three components – aspartic acid, phenylalanine and methanol. Aspartame has been passed as fit to consume by more than 100 countries around the World, but there is evidence that each of aspartame’s chemical components can have toxic effects on health. See here and here [...] (Source: Dr John Biffa's Blog) Dr John Biffa's Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2678894 Fri, 07 Aug 2009 07:34:27 +0100 2678894 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2657939&cid=t_144426_167_f&fid=38576&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.drbriffa.com%2Fblog%2F2009%2F07%2F31%2Fhigh-carb-diets-are-bad-news-for-the-blood-vessels%2F Cardiovascular conditions such as heart disease and stroke are a major cause of disability and death. For years we’ve been led to believe that fat is the major dietary offender here, but in reality the science shows that naturally occurring fats are not the issue. In fact, some fats (principally so-called omega-3 fats) actually help [...] (Source: Dr John Biffa's Blog) Dr John Biffa's Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2657939 Fri, 31 Jul 2009 06:37:00 +0100 2657939 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2634689&cid=t_144426_167_f&fid=38576&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.drbriffa.com%2Fblog%2F2009%2F07%2F24%2Fdoes-the-atkins-diet-cause-heart-disease%2F I’m an advocate of diets relatively rich in protein and low in carbohydrate. Not uncommonly when I addressing an audience regarding this, someone will ask me about the Atkins’ diet and my opinion of it. Digging a bit it usually turns out that the individual is thinking that I’m advocating an Atkins-like diet, and we [...] (Source: Dr John Biffa's Blog) Dr John Biffa's Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2634689 Fri, 24 Jul 2009 08:00:21 +0100 2634689 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2626299&cid=t_144426_167_f&fid=38576&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.drbriffa.com%2Fblog%2F2009%2F07%2F22%2Fhigh-glycaemic-load-diet-associated-with-increased-risk-of-depressive-symptoms%2F On Monday my blog focused on the just one of the hazards associated with eating a high-carbohydrate diet, namely changes in markers of cardiovascular disease risk that would signal an increase in the likelihood of developing this condition. Other evidence exists which links diets of high glycaemic index (GI) and glycaemic load (GL) and an [...] (Source: Dr John Biffa's Blog) Dr John Biffa's Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2626299 Wed, 22 Jul 2009 07:35:42 +0100 2626299 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2616878&cid=t_144426_167_f&fid=38576&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.drbriffa.com%2Fblog%2F2009%2F07%2F20%2Fstudy-demonstrates-health-hazards-associated-with-a-low-fat-high-carbohydrate-diet%2F For about 30 years we’ve had our Governments, health agencies, doctors and dieticians urging us to eat less fat and more carbohydrate. Yet, we now know that many of the fats in the diet, including saturated fat, appear harmless as worst. Some, including the omega-3 fats found in oily fish, look positively beneficial. And on [...] (Source: Dr John Biffa's Blog) Dr John Biffa's Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2616878 Mon, 20 Jul 2009 10:10:16 +0100 2616878 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2594656&cid=t_144426_167_f&fid=38576&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.drbriffa.com%2Fblog%2F2009%2F07%2F13%2Fhigh-carb-diets-again-linked-to-increased-risk-of-breast-cancer%2F Previously on this site (for example see here) I have written about the role that certain carbohydrate foods appear to have in the development of breast cancer. Foods that are disruptive to blood sugar (high glycaemic index) foods have been implicated here. Also when high GI foods are eaten in quantity, they tend to have [...] (Source: Dr John Biffa's Blog) Dr John Biffa's Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2594656 Mon, 13 Jul 2009 12:39:40 +0100 2594656 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2573125&cid=t_144426_167_f&fid=38576&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.drbriffa.com%2Fblog%2F2009%2F07%2F06%2Flower-gi-diets-found-to-boost-levels-of-appetite-sating-hormone%2F There are a number of ways of tackling excess weight, one of which is to eat less. What is important here is that food intake is cut without inducing much in the way of hunger. Why? Because for most of us, hunger is not something we will wilfully put up with in the long term. [...] (Source: Dr John Biffa's Blog) Dr John Biffa's Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2573125 Mon, 06 Jul 2009 08:49:42 +0100 2573125 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2571290&cid=t_144426_167_f&fid=38576&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.drbriffa.com%2Fblog%2F2009%2F07%2F03%2Feating-breakfast-found-to-be-major-boon-for-diabetics-and-why-this-may-be-important-for-non-diabetics-too%2F On Monday, my blog looked at why nuts were generally such a good food for diabetics. And part of their attraction is that they are a food rich in protein and fat and low in carbohydrate. These nutritional qualities mean that nuts will liberate sugar in a tempered fashion into the blood stream (they have [...] (Source: Dr John Biffa's Blog) Dr John Biffa's Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2571290 Fri, 03 Jul 2009 07:02:44 +0100 2571290 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2517451&cid=t_144426_167_f&fid=38576&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.drbriffa.com%2Fblog%2F2009%2F06%2F26%2Fhigh-gi-carbs-again-implicated-in-cardiovascular-disease%2F A key underlying factor in cardiovascular conditions such as heart disease and stroke is a process known as atherosclerosis (also known as arteriosclerosis), which is essentially a furring up of arteries with a fatty ‘plaque’. For decades now, we’ve had it instilled in us that the chief dietary factor influencing atherosclerosis is fat, which saturated [...] (Source: Dr John Biffa's Blog) Dr John Biffa's Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2517451 Fri, 26 Jun 2009 07:47:56 +0100 2517451 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2513418&cid=t_144426_167_f&fid=38576&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.drbriffa.com%2Fblog%2F2009%2F06%2F25%2Feffective-strategies-for-combating-carb-cravings%2F Yesterday in practice I saw a female patient who, among other things, was troubled by the fact that she craved sugar “like you wouldn’t believe”. It is my experience in practice that many individuals with sugar cravings view it as a sign of weakness on their part. However, food can have powerful addictive qualities, and [...] (Source: Dr John Biffa's Blog) Dr John Biffa's Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2513418 Thu, 25 Jun 2009 07:16:56 +0100 2513418 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2474488&cid=t_144426_167_f&fid=38576&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.drbriffa.com%2Fblog%2F2009%2F06%2F15%2Fstudy-finds-lower-carb-diet-better-for-sating-the-appetite%2F Weight control receives a lot of attention from doctors and other health professionals, scientists and the media, a reflection of the fact that there are burgeoning rates of obesity in industrialised countries around the world. While a number of dietary approaches have been advocated for weight loss, my preference is for diets that are relatively [...] (Source: Dr John Biffa's Blog) Dr John Biffa's Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2474488 Sun, 14 Jun 2009 17:49:08 +0100 2474488 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2473942&cid=t_144426_134_f&fid=35187&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FDiabetesDaily%2F%7E3%2F26LL7KjLBLo%2Fall-the-comforts-of-home.php This month, I'm marking eleven years since I moved to Colorado to be with my then-boyfriend, now-husband.  Leaving everything I'd ever known behind in the Midwest was difficult, especially when you consider that I was just graduating from college.  What can I say?  In the end, romantic love won out over family love.  Although there have been ups and downs in those eleven years, I would never ever want to... (Source: Diabetes Daily) Diabetes Daily blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2473942 Thu, 11 Jun 2009 03:25:26 +0100 2473942 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2463312&cid=t_144426_167_f&fid=38576&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.drbriffa.com%2Fblog%2F2009%2F06%2F11%2Flow-gi-diet-halves-need-for-insulin-in-pregnancy-related-diabetes%2F Gestational diabetes is diabetes that occurs during pregnancy in women who were not previously diabetic. If left uncontrolled, it can have adverse effects on the developing foetus. Its treatment depends on the severity of the condition, with diet, oral medication and insulin being the three mainstay options. Insulin therapy is generally seen as the last [...] (Source: Dr John Biffa's Blog) Dr John Biffa's Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2463312 Mon, 08 Jun 2009 15:52:16 +0100 2463312 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2408723&cid=t_144426_167_f&fid=38576&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.drbriffa.com%2Fblog%2F2009%2F05%2F16%2F706%2F that this is not likely to be the best dietary approach for managing their condition (seeing as diabetes is primarily a problem with carbohydrate regulation, specifically a tendency to raised blood sugar levels). In type 2 diabetes, the underlying issue is either a failure of the body to respond to the action of the hormone [...] (Source: Dr John Biffa's Blog) Dr John Biffa's Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2408723 Fri, 15 May 2009 15:07:42 +0100 2408723 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2405951&cid=t_144426_134_f&fid=34841&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.diabetesmine.com%2F2009%2F05%2Fhow-many-carbs-for-type-1-diabetics.html If you have type 1 diabetes, you should be eating extremely low carb, right?  This keeps your insulin requirements to a minimum and assures the best possible blood sugar control, according to intuition and the personal experience of many PWDs.  But guess what? New research does not agree. Yesterday, diabetes nutrition expert Hope Warshaw sent me [...] (Source: Diabetes Mine) Diabetes Mine blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2405951 Thu, 14 May 2009 13:00:05 +0100 2405951 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2399269&cid=t_144426_167_f&fid=38576&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.drbriffa.com%2Fblog%2F2009%2F05%2F07%2Fstudy-demonstrates-that-key-role-insulin-plays-in-obesity%2F Our experience of health and disease will always be the result of an interplay between our genes and ‘environmental’ factors such as diet, exercise and exposure to potential toxins or health hazards. We hear a lot about the role of specific genes in specific conditions such as diabetes and heart disease. However, as Professor Steve [...] (Source: Dr John Biffa's Blog) Dr John Biffa's Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2399269 Thu, 07 May 2009 14:11:31 +0100 2399269 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2390475&cid=t_144426_167_f&fid=38576&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.drbriffa.com%2Fblog%2F2009%2F05%2F07%2Fstudy-demonstrates-that-key-role-insulin-plays-in-obesity%2F Our experience of health and disease will always be the result of an interplay between our genes and ‘environmental’ factors such as diet, exercise and exposure to potential toxins or health hazards. We hear a lot about the role of specific genes in specific conditions such as diabetes and heart disease. However, as Professor Steve [...] (Source: Dr John Biffa's Blog) Dr John Biffa's Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2390475 Thu, 07 May 2009 11:47:08 +0100 2390475 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2382865&cid=t_144426_167_f&fid=38576&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.drbriffa.com%2Fblog%2F2009%2F04%2F13%2Freduced-sugar-and-increased-fibre-intake-found-to-reduce-risk-factors-for-type-2-diabetes%2F I would generally advise anyone wishing to avoid developing diabetes to keep their diet relatively low in foods that tend to cause considerable disruption to blood sugar levels. These would include many starchy carbohydrates including most forms of bread, potato, rice, pasta and breakfast cereals. It would also include foods that contain added sugar. Eating [...] (Source: Dr John Biffa's Blog) Dr John Biffa's Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2382865 Mon, 13 Apr 2009 14:48:50 +0100 2382865 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2382868&cid=t_144426_167_f&fid=38576&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.nutrition.org%2Fmedia%2Fpublications%2Fpodcasts%2FpodcastLaymanfinal.mp3 While I don’t believe that what represents an ideal diet is the same for everyone, I do favour diets that are generally rich in protein and relatively low in carbohydrate/ And one reason for this concerns that fact that such diets do tend to outperform high-carb, low-fat diets when it comes to fat loss and [...] (Source: Dr John Biffa's Blog) Dr John Biffa's Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2382868 Fri, 03 Apr 2009 17:08:29 +0100 2382868 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2382869&cid=t_144426_167_f&fid=38576&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.drbriffa.com%2Fblog%2F2009%2F04%2F01%2Fcarbohydrates-linked-with-infertility-in-women%2F Infertility is estimated to affect up to 15 per cent of couples. And while the underlying issue here can be with either the woman or the man (or both), one relatively common cause of infertility relates to a problem with ovulation (the normal release of an egg from the ovary about every month). Sometimes, problems [...] (Source: Dr John Biffa's Blog) Dr John Biffa's Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2382869 Wed, 01 Apr 2009 12:28:13 +0100 2382869 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2382870&cid=t_144426_167_f&fid=38576&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.drbriffa.com%2Fblog%2F2009%2F03%2F30%2Flower-gi-carbs-compared-to-higher-gi-ones-found-to-improve-satiety-and-fat-burning-in-women%2F I think conventional nutritional advice (as dispensed by our Governments and health professionals) puts generally too much emphasis on carbohydrate, including forms of this that tend to cause considerable disruption in blood sugar and insulin levels. The consumption of so-called ‘high glycaemic index’ (high GI) carbohydrates have been linked with an increase in risk of [...] (Source: Dr John Biffa's Blog) Dr John Biffa's Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2382870 Mon, 30 Mar 2009 09:24:21 +0100 2382870 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2092641&cid=t_144426_134_f&fid=35187&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FDiabetesDaily%2F%7E3%2F507809567%2Fgoing-bananas.php When I was first diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, I immediately eliminated bananas from my existence.  Everyone who knew low carb explained that bananas were pure evil, full of sugar and bad carbs.  As a result, I think I consumed... (Source: Diabetes Daily) Diabetes Daily blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2092641 Sat, 10 Jan 2009 04:31:36 +0100 2092641 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2074367&cid=t_144426_134_f&fid=35187&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FDiabetesDaily%2F%7E3%2F499161163%2Fconundrum-at-years-end.php As I mentioned before, I've been back to exercising regularly, albeit minimally.  Not only that, but because of travel and holiday indulgence and more travel and more holiday indulgence, I'd been taking less than the prescribed dose of metformin, thanks... (Source: Diabetes Daily) Diabetes Daily blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2074367 Wed, 31 Dec 2008 04:01:40 +0100 2074367 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1921043&cid=t_144426_134_f&fid=35187&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FDiabetesDaily%2F%7E3%2F436510290%2Fweekends-with-t2.php Weekends are my time to shine with respect to diabetes care.We don't keep a lot of sweets around the house, other than those to treat any lows my type 1 husband may face.  Sure, I allow myself a carb-filled breakfast... (Source: Diabetes Daily) Diabetes Daily blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1921043 Thu, 30 Oct 2008 04:14:15 +0100 1921043 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1879960&cid=t_144426_134_f&fid=35187&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FDiabetesDaily%2F%7E3%2F421138233%2Fthe-other-d.php Before there was type 2 diabetes, there was The Other D.  I know that many in the diabetes community, type 1 and type 2 alike, have struggled with The Other D.  For those with type 1, it comes with years... (Source: Diabetes Daily) Diabetes Daily blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1879960 Wed, 15 Oct 2008 03:03:31 +0100 1879960 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1837311&cid=t_144426_134_f&fid=35187&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FDiabetesDaily%2F%7E3%2F405747483%2Fout-of-range.php For the past year, managing my weight within a certain five-pound range has not been difficult.  Top end of the range?  Just exercise a little more and cut a few grams of carbohydrates out of each day.  Bottom end of... (Source: Diabetes Daily) Diabetes Daily blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1837311 Sun, 28 Sep 2008 23:30:28 +0100 1837311 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1723520&cid=t_144426_134_f&fid=35187&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FDiabetesDaily%2F%7E3%2F371419586%2Fless-than-perfect.php I am a big fan of spreadsheets.  Not only do I use about ten different ones each day at my job as an accounting clerk, but I keep track of finances at home as well.   Even diabetes care is... (Source: Diabetes Daily) Diabetes Daily blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1723520 Fri, 22 Aug 2008 00:42:53 +0100 1723520 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1700814&cid=t_144426_134_f&fid=35187&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FDiabetesDaily%2F%7E3%2F363446683%2Fpost.php I can still taste it in my mouth sometimes.  French toast, drizzled with maple syrup and sprinkled with powdered sugar, used to be my favorite special occasion breakfast.   That is, if your definition of special occasion is "weekend" or... (Source: Diabetes Daily) Diabetes Daily blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1700814 Wed, 13 Aug 2008 01:40:47 +0100 1700814 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1373675&cid=t_144426_151_f&fid=35823&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FAddictionInbox%2F%7E3%2F270959071%2Ffood-addiction-and-dopamine.html Why your brain likes sweetsThe brain's ability to sniff out calories in the form of sugar depends upon sugar's drug-like effect on the dopamine-rich reward center known as the nucleus accumbens, according to a study published in the March 27 issue of Neuron. This tiny structure in the mid-brain is also the locus of reward activity for all addictive drugs.In the study, Ivan de Araujo and colleagues at Duke University and the Universidade do Porto in Portugal demonstrated that lab mice lacking the ability to taste sweet foods still preferred sugary water to regular water. The genetically altered mice, lacking functional taste receptor cells for bitter and sweet, consistently chose to consume sugar water--even though they could not sense the sugar. (The lab animals were also prevented from sm... Addiction Inbox blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1373675 Tue, 15 Apr 2008 20:24:00 +0100 1373675 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=998724&cid=t_144426_151_f&fid=35823&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FAddictionInbox%2F%7E3%2F178463975%2Ffood-addiction.html The neurology of carbohydrate cravingEighteen years ago, Richard and Judith Wurtman, a husband and wife research team at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) reported in Scientific American:"We wondered whether the consumption of excessive amounts of snack carbohydrates leading to severe obesity might not represent a kind of substance abuse, in which the decision to consume carbohydrates for their calming and anti-depressant effects is carried to an extreme--at substantial cost to the abuser’s health and appearance."In the case of certain carbohydrate cravers, the Wurtmans found, dietary tryptophan was being converted into serotonin, like always—but this concentrated serotonin surge was also a powerful mood-booster. It was medicine.The Wurtmans had hit on something big. Peop... Addiction Inbox blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=998724 Thu, 01 Nov 2007 23:14:00 +0100 998724 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=835443&cid=t_144426_87_f&fid=34867&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thediabetesblog.com%2F2007%2F08%2F31%2Fvegetable-fiber-a-first-rate-diabetes-defense%2F Filed under: Type 2, Diet, Research, Daily NewsWe could all benefit from added fiber in our diets. However, it seems the type of fiber consumed is important too. A new study concludes that vegetable fiber is a good defence against type 2 diabetes. The study comes courtesy of researchers at the University of Sydney, Australia, who found that adults eating five grams of vegetable fiber daily were 24 percent less likely than other adults to develop the disease. People over the age of seventy enjoyed a thirty-one percent risk reduction.The study tracked the eating habits of more than two thousand people over a ten year period. Wow. The researchers also reported that those whose diets contained fiber from mainly cereal or fruit sources did not fare so well - they had a higher risk for type 2 di... The Diabetes Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=835443 Fri, 31 Aug 2007 04:00:00 +0100 835443