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 'dietetics'. Sat, 03 Sep 2011 02:54:28 +0100 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4482758&cid=t_207766_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fa-giant-artificial-gut%2F2011.02.15 What do you do when you’re one of the world’s biggest food companies and you’re looking to explore what happens after your products get chewed and swallowed? Apparently you build a large refrigerator-sized, million dollar model of a human gut, complete with valves, injection ports for enzymes, and a transparent window for visibility, of course. Nestle, in their quest to create foods that trick your body into feeling even more satisfied after eating than you otherwise would be, has a research and development center that holds this artificial gut, tucked next to the mountains in Lausanne, Switzerland. Here they’re busy studying and trying to commercialize gastrointestinal phenomenon such as the “ileal break,” a peptidal feedback mechanism that both slows transit through the GI s... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4482758 Tue, 15 Feb 2011 20:00:52 +0100 4482758 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4472951&cid=t_207766_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fthe-still-incredible-edible-egg%2F2011.02.12 Enriched chicken feed may have resulted in eggs having less cholesterol and more Vitamin D than previously measured, reports the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). A large egg today has about 185 milligrams of cholesterol, down 14 percent from 215 milligrams in 2002, according to new research from the USDA’s Agricultural Research Service, reports USA Today. Also, an egg today has 41 international units (IUs) of Vitamin D, up 64 percent from 25 IUs measured in 2002. (That’s still only about 7 percent of the 600 IUs recommended per day.) The agency regularly does nutrient checks on popular foods, this time analyzing eggs taken from store shelves in 12 locations around the country. The American Egg Board said in a press release that hen feed is made up mostly of corn, soyb... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4472951 Sat, 12 Feb 2011 20:00:00 +0100 4472951 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4470410&cid=t_207766_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fthe-still-incredible-edible-egg%2F2011.02.12 Enriched chicken feed may have resulted in eggs having less cholesterol and more Vitamin D than previously measured, reports the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). A large egg today has about 185 milligrams of cholesterol, down 14 percent from 215 milligrams in 2002, according to new research from the USDA’s Agricultural Research Service, reports USA Today. Also, an egg today has 41 international units (IUs) of Vitamin D, up 64 percent from 25 IUs measured in 2002. (That’s still only about 7 percent of the 600 IUs recommended per day.) The agency regularly does nutrient checks on popular foods, this time analyzing eggs taken from store shelves in 12 locations around the country. The American Egg Board said in a press release that hen feed is made up mostly of corn, soyb... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4470410 Sat, 12 Feb 2011 20:00:00 +0100 4470410 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4429018&cid=t_207766_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fa-food-culture-change-is-upon-us%2F2011.02.02 As a pediatric endocrinologist, I am on the frontline of the childhood obesity epidemic. In fact, I am now seeing 100-pound two year olds and 150-pound three-year-old kids in my clinic and I am concerned. The obesity epidemic is perpetuated by a processed food-culture that lacks healthier local whole foods.    Diets dominated by processed foods (refined carbohydrates with high fat- and/or high-sugar content and artificial ingredients) over whole foods (fruits, vegetables, whole grains) spur more obesity and diabetes, and have even been shown to negatively change gene expression of the offspring during pregnancy. All-processed ingredients reflect the balance of desirable factors in the modern way of life such as shelf life (long), taste (sweet), texture (fat) convenience (high), and pric... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4429018 Wed, 02 Feb 2011 21:00:50 +0100 4429018 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4326903&cid=t_207766_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fgetting-kids-to-eat-low-sugar-cereals%2F2011.01.09 Just about everybody agrees that kids should eat breakfast every day. Breakfast improves their overall nutrition and their performance in school, among other things. But how helpful can breakfast really be if it consists of cereal deluged in sugar? “Not very” is the answer. Thankfully, a new study by Jennifer Harris and colleagues at Yale suggests that kids are perfectly willing to consume low-sugar cereals instead, particularly if they can add a pinch of table sugar or fresh fruit to the mix. To evaluate kids’ willingness to eat low-sugar cereals, Harris’ team randomized 91 kids between the ages of five and 12 to two groups. Kids in the first group were offered low-sugar cereals like Cheerios, Corn Flakes, and Rice Krispies, which contain one to four grams of sugar per servin... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4326903 Sun, 09 Jan 2011 14:00:41 +0100 4326903 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4251110&cid=t_207766_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fhumans-and-food-why-we-love-ice-cream%2F2010.12.11 Scientists know that our perceptions about taste and texture drive our food preferences. They know quite a lot about the role of taste in this regard, and the results of some recent experiments have shed new light on the role of texture as well, particularly as it relates to foods containing starch. Starch is a major component of potatoes, rice, corn, wheat and the enormous variety of foods derived from them. It is also added to many other products from maple syrup to pudding. In fact, starch accounts for 40 to 60 percent of the calorie content in the average Western diet, and more than that in many Asian and third-world diets.  Humans begin digesting starch in the mouth, where the salivary glands secrete an enzyme known as amylase. This enzyme breaks down starch and other complex carboh... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4251110 Sat, 11 Dec 2010 14:00:13 +0100 4251110 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4205933&cid=t_207766_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fobesity-epidemic-solved-the-second-stomach%2F2010.11.27 Dr. Steve Brule (aka John C. Reilly) makes medical history by solving America’s obesity epidemic with a groundbreaking new operation. Dr. Oz, step aside – Brules rules! *This blog post was originally published at tbtam* (Source: Better Health) Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4205933 Sat, 27 Nov 2010 19:00:24 +0100 4205933 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4200560&cid=t_207766_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fthanksgiving-a-heart-attack-for-dessert%2F2010.11.25 It seems the Washington Post, cloaked under an anonymous author, wants to use scare tactics to keep most of us from enjoying Thanksgiving with their ominously titled article, “And for dessert, a heart attack?” They spew all kinds of garbage with very little data about how eating a high-fat diet might give you a heart attack. If you want to know more, consider this article* from some pretty smart folks at Harvard. Then eat, drink, and be merry without guilt (courtesy of Dr. Wes). Happy Thanksgiving! - WesMusings of a cardiologist and cardiac electrophysiologist. *REFERENCE: Renata, M. and Mozaffarian, D. “Saturated Fat and Cardiometabolic Risk Factors, Coronary Heart Disease, Stroke, and Diabetes: a Fresh Look at the Evidence.” Lipids, 31 Mar 2010. [Photo credit: La... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4200560 Thu, 25 Nov 2010 18:00:00 +0100 4200560 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4086266&cid=t_207766_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fprenatal-vitamins-are-they-necessary-sufficient-safe%2F2010.10.20 What is in a prenatal vitamin? Why do most doctors recommend them? Is there any evidence taking them is worthwhile? I decided recently that I would read through the ingredients of these vitamins, often touted as “essential vitamins and nutrients, crucial for the healthy development of your baby.” Hmmm. Does that mean eating traces of polyvinyl alcohol every day is beneficial? The fine print ingredients of such brands as “One A Day”, “Centrum Materna”, “Rite Aid” and even the prescription only “Prenate Elite” are a confusing mess of milligrams, international units, RDA’s, and chemicals. As the makers of Centrum explain, “It is very challenging to formulate vitamins and minerals without the use of non-medicinal ingredients which serve to keep the product stable and to... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4086266 Wed, 20 Oct 2010 22:00:27 +0100 4086266 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4045094&cid=t_207766_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fhealth-benefits-of-green-tea-omega-3-combo%2F2010.10.08 We have know for some time that there are health benefits from drinking green tea. Research also shows that Omega 3 fatty acids have beneficial effects on a number of organs in the body, including the cardiovascular system, the brain, and even depression. Dr. Fereidoon Shahidi, research professor in the Department of Biochemistry at Memorial University in Newfoundland, Canada, is hoping to show that green tea polyphenols, particularly epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), may also prevent colon cancer and even have anti-viral effects when combined with certain Omega 3 fatty acids. “We know from experience that green tea is not well absorbed by the body,” Dr. Shahidi said. “Our premise was to see if by adding something to it that has its own benefits, like Omega 3 fatty acids, we might g... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4045094 Fri, 08 Oct 2010 16:00:00 +0100 4045094 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4018177&cid=t_207766_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Faspartame-facts-vs-fiction%2F2010.09.30 If you believe everything you read on the Internet, then is seems that a chemical found in thousands of products is causing an epidemic of severe neurological and systemic diseases, like multiple sclerosis and lupus. The FDA, the companies that make the product, and the “medical industrial complex” all know about the dangers of this chemical, but are hiding the truth from the public in order to protect corporate profits and avoid the pesky paper work that would accompany the truth being revealed. The only glimmer of hope is a dedicated band of bloggers and anonymous email chain letter authors who aren’t afraid to speak the truth. Armed with the latest anecdotal evidence, unverified speculation, and scientifically implausible claims, they have been tirelessly ranting about the evils o... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4018177 Thu, 30 Sep 2010 14:00:22 +0100 4018177 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3998986&cid=t_207766_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fnutritional-supplements-do-they-really-help-prevent-disease%2F2010.09.24 (Guest post submitted by MD Anderson Cancer Center) Aisles in grocery stores and pharmacies are stacked with vitamins, minerals, herbs or other plants that you take in pill, capsule, tablet or liquid form. And, many of us buy these supplements and take them regularly, hoping to lower our chances of getting cancer and other diseases. But do supplements really work wonders? Should you take them to help prevent cancer? Our experts say beware. “Don’t be fooled by the label on the bottle,” says Sally Scroggs, health education manager at MD Anderson’s Cancer Prevention Center. “Researchers are still unsure about whether or not supplements actually prevent cancer.” Some studies have suggested that supplements may actually increase cancer risk by tilting the balance of nutrients in the... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3998986 Fri, 24 Sep 2010 20:00:57 +0100 3998986 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3982014&cid=t_207766_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fdoctors-blaming-mcdonalds-for-heart-disease%2F2010.09.18 I’m trying to get off the topic of fatness, but just when it seems right to move on to something less hopeless, we hear that even doctors can be felled by obesity’s resilience. To the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine, a group of well-meaning doctors who are buying expensive TV ads blaming McDonald’s for heart disease, I have just 5 words: McDonald’s is not the problem! Gosh. It’s maddening to think that such smart people could be that misguided — a whole committee of doctors completely devoid of any master-of-the-obvious is hard to fathom. Don’t misunderstand — I’m not advocating McDonald’s food as overly nutritional, but blaming MacD’s for our obesity epidemic is like blaming guns for violence (for the recor... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3982014 Sat, 18 Sep 2010 19:00:00 +0100 3982014 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3969012&cid=t_207766_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Ffrom-mayo-clinics-transform-2010-conference-how-sick-are-our-healthy-school-lunches%2F2010.09.14 Appearing as a Second Life 3D virtual-world avatar at Mayo Clinic’s “Transform 2010″ symposium (watch the video here), Mrs. Q – a teacher and the anonymous author of the blog “Fed Up With Lunch: The School Lunch Project” — told the story of how her unique health mission has come to be. She’s determined to help people understand just how sick our “healthy” school lunches really are. Mrs. Q has sparked the interest of child health advocates around the country. Thanks to programs like First Lady Michelle Obama’s “Let’s Move Initiative” and Jamie Oliver’s “Food Revolution,” the nation is paying more attention to childhood obesity and school lunch reform. Mrs. Q’s blog was starte... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3969012 Wed, 15 Sep 2010 03:37:25 +0100 3969012 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3965409&cid=t_207766_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Feating-a-food-based-approach%2F2010.09.14 The science of nutrition is changing and not in the way you might expect. After years of “reductionist” thinking — where food has been viewed as the sum of its parts -– a call to treat food as food has been sounded. No more poring over nutrition labels to calculate grams of fat or chasing down the latest go-to chemical –- be it vitamin E, fish oil or omega-3. Instead we are being asked to call a potato a potato and a piece of steak — well, a piece of steak. If you haven’t heard about this sea change yet, you are not alone. The food science industry that markets “food products” for our consumption has done a good job giving their laboratory creations a semblance of health with phrases like “low fat” and “high in vitamin C.” For our part, the medical community i... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3965409 Tue, 14 Sep 2010 12:00:27 +0100 3965409 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3915003&cid=t_207766_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fweight-loss-dos-and-donts-whats-in-your-grocery-cart%2F2010.08.29 I know it’s not politically correct to look at what other people buy at the grocery store, but as a physician I just can’t help noticing. Some carts contain huge containers of soda pop, Doritos, frozen pizza, and other packaged goods. I’m not surprised, because at the end of every isle is a display case that offers the giant soda for 89 cents or the Doritos on special for $1.29. With this type of marketing, it takes a strong person to resist the “bargain.” Yesterday the woman in front of me (overweight, middle-aged) had a strange assortment of goods that she probably thought would help her lose weight. She had several Weight Watcher-type meals, diet drinks, power bars, and lots of “light” items — “light butter,” “light cr... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3915003 Sun, 29 Aug 2010 18:00:00 +0100 3915003 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3913120&cid=t_207766_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fdiabetes-and-precision-carb-guessing%2F2010.08.28 I keep measuring cups in my purse so that I can measure out my dinners out to be exact. I keep a small food scale in the glove compartment of my car so I am never guessing how many ounces a certain item might be. And I have the Calorie King booklet in my pocket at all times, so that I’m never left guessing. I even sewed pockets into all my clothes, just to bring the booklet around. (The previous paragraph is filled with lies. Big, fat ones.) I wish I was a precision carb counter. I wish I had the patience for it, always either eating pre-packaged and factory-analyzed foods or spending my time carefully measuring and weighing any home cooked adventures. But I am not a precision carb counter. I’m a precision carb guesser. (more…) *This blog post was originally... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3913120 Sat, 28 Aug 2010 22:00:00 +0100 3913120 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3890478&cid=t_207766_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fpregnant-women-and-vitamin-d%2F2010.08.21 A new study in the American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology reports that low levels of vitamin D may be linked to early-onset preeclampsia in pregnant women. The trial found that the average vitamin D level in 50 pregnant women with preeclampsia was 18 ng/mL, compared with 32 ng/mL in 100 women with healthy pregnancies. No casual relationship was proven, and the study’s lead author told Reuters Health that the recommended vitamin D intake in pregnant women hasn’t changed, but the study results raise yet more questions about this much-discussed nutrient. ACP Internist covered the pros and cons of vitamin D in its November 2009 issue. (Reuters, ACP Internist) *This blog post was originally published at ACP Internist* (Source: Better Health) Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3890478 Sat, 21 Aug 2010 12:00:00 +0100 3890478 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3889083&cid=t_207766_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fkids-with-diabetes-can-count-carbs-with-lenny%2F2010.08.20 Medtronic MiniMed has recently released a new educational game for kids and young adults that takes them through an educational tour to learn how to deal with foods when you have diabetes. A rep for the company tells Medgadget: Called Carb Counting with Lenny, it’s offered for free download on the Apple iTunes App Store for the iPhone, iTouch and iPad. It’s great for parents (and even adults with diabetes have enjoyed it too), as the app features a guide presenting nutritious food choices with associated serving sizes and carbohydrate values. The other key components of the app are fun, interactive games that help reinforce carb counting skills and keep children engaged. And just in case you are not fully familiar with Lenny the Lion, he is a global ambassador for children&#821... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3889083 Fri, 20 Aug 2010 12:00:22 +0100 3889083 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3807396&cid=t_207766_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Ffood-and-pesticides-the-dirty-dozen%2F2010.07.31 The Environmental Working Group (EWG) is a non-profit focused on public health. We know that the long-term consequences of eating chemicals from pesticides used on our foods is damaging to our health. The EWG analyzed data from the FDA and found that people who eat five fruits and vegetables a day from the “Dirty Dozen” are eating 10 pesticides a day. We want people to eat more fruits and vegetables, but NOT to ingest more chemicals. Rinsing reduces but does not eliminate pesticides. So what’s the answer? Rinse completely and buy the “Dirty Dozen” foods organic whenever possible. (more…) *This blog post was originally published at EverythingHealth* (Source: Better Health) Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3807396 Sat, 31 Jul 2010 12:00:00 +0100 3807396 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3764138&cid=t_207766_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2F19th-century-cure-for-obesity%2F2010.07.18 I really want to know what the treatment is that this “regular practicing physician” sent to the patient to reduce the surplus flesh. “Eat as much and as often as you please” and “no bandaging nor tightlacing.” Bring it on! *This blog post was originally published at EverythingHealth* (Source: Better Health) Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3764138 Sun, 18 Jul 2010 12:00:00 +0100 3764138 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3762900&cid=t_207766_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fone-critics-take-on-the-multigrain-scam%2F2010.07.17 Freelance journalist and author Suzanne Schlosberg wrote because she was so upset over a New York Times story, “The Chip That Stacks Adds a Multigrain Twist,” that she wanted us to review it. I thought anyone who feels so strongly about something should review it herself. So she did. Here is Suzanne’s guest post: ************************** I was flabbergasted when I read this New York Times piece on Procter & Gamble’s new entry into the potato-chip market: multigrain Pringles. The story accepts at face value P&G’s misleading marketing pitch — that “multigrain” is equivalent to “healthy.” When I sent a link to my nutritionist friend Cynthia Sass., M.S., R.D., she replied: “Did you notice it says ‘advertising&#82... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3762900 Sun, 18 Jul 2010 01:06:23 +0100 3762900 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3729877&cid=t_207766_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fcan-sugar-raise-your-blood-pressure%2F2010.07.06 Most of us know that salt raises blood pressure in many people. When I learned that in medical school almost 40 years ago, I have not touched a salt shaker since. I enjoy having a low normal blood pressure. A new study published in the Journal of the American Society of Nephrology (July 2010) suggests that sugar, especially the fructose that comes from corn syrup, may also raise blood pressure. A study team from the University of Colorado in Denver looked at sugar intake among thousands of Americans in a major national nutrition survey between 2003 and 2006. Those who consumed more added sugars, such as the fructose in soft drinks, had significantly higher blood pressures than those who did not and ate more natural foods such as fresh fruit. Fructose from corn syrup is a major cause of the... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3729877 Tue, 06 Jul 2010 15:00:00 +0100 3729877 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3723306&cid=t_207766_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fweight-loss-the-horserace-between-low-carb-and-low-fat%2F2010.07.03 Journalist Andrew Holtz, one of our expert reviewers on HealthNewsReview.org, has some fun with a horserace-style look at low-carb versus low-fat diet research on his MDiTV.com site: *This blog post was originally published at Gary Schwitzer's HealthNewsReview Blog* (Source: Better Health) Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3723306 Sat, 03 Jul 2010 14:00:18 +0100 3723306 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3710825&cid=t_207766_167_f&fid=38271&url=http%3A%2F%2Frebeccascritchfield.wordpress.com%2F2010%2F06%2F29%2Fassimilation-to-american-culture-and-diet-why-some-immigrants-become-unhealthy%2F By: Carlene Helble- Elite Nutrition Intern One of my favorite things to do is learn about foods from other cultures…and try them too! Different cuisines not only broaden your palate’s horizons, but they allow you to try some great produce that is uncommon to US grocery stores. Many immigrants residing in the US are having problems meeting the recommended daily servings of fruits and vegetables because what they are comfortable with is just not there. Imagine being in a foreign country looking for your favorite fruit and never seeing it. Ho-hum. Dragon Fruit From the Veggie Gardener.com The May 2010 American Dietetics Association Journal published a study that looked into the availability of culturally specific fruits and vegetables available in African American and Latino communities i... Balanced Health and Nutrition Rebecca Scritchfield's Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3710825 Tue, 29 Jun 2010 10:27:42 +0100 3710825 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3701673&cid=t_207766_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fphysical-activity-for-weight-loss-not-for-most-middle-aged-women%2F2010.06.26 Talk about a cruel trick of nature! A study funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) shows that physical activity prevents weight gain in middle-aged and older women ONLY IF THEY ARE ALREADY AT IDEAL WEIGHT. Did you read that? It means that the recommended guidelines advocating 150 minutes of exercise a week isn’t sufficient to prevent weight gain in most middle-aged women. The Harvard-associated researchers assessed weight changes associated with various levels of physical activity on 34,079 women who had been followed since 1992 in the Women’s Health Study. They stratified women as “inactive” (less than 150 minutes a week of moderate level physical activity), “intermediatel... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3701673 Sat, 26 Jun 2010 22:00:00 +0100 3701673 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3695566&cid=t_207766_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fxxxtreme-calories-dishes-what-not-to-eat%2F2010.06.24 It’s no secret that the U.S. has a weight problem and with chain restaurants serving up meals with thousands of calories in a single dish, it’s easy to understand why. Watch “CBS Doc Dot Com” to see which meals you should try to avoid — or at least share. Watch CBS News Videos Online (Source: Better Health) Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3695566 Fri, 25 Jun 2010 04:18:12 +0100 3695566 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3644766&cid=t_207766_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fnewsflash-tv-commercial-food-is-bad-for-you%2F2010.06.08 We’ve been slacking in the “Medical news of the obvious” department lately. Seems like research has been either actually newsworthy or so obvious that you could spot it yourselves (for example, the continuing investigations of whether smoking and being lazy are bad for you). But we couldn’t let this one slide by: “A new study that analyzes what would happen if a person were to eat 2,000 calories of foods that are advertised on the tube,” as HealthDay describes. As even the average Saturday morning cartoon viewer could have predicted, the food in commercials turns out to be bad for you. (more…) *This blog post was originally published at ACP Hospitalist* (Source: Better Health) Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3644766 Tue, 08 Jun 2010 18:00:00 +0100 3644766 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3635744&cid=t_207766_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fnutrition-and-the-government-donuts-for-freedom%2F2010.06.07 An interesting press release from the Competitive Enterprise Institute recently came across our desk and is reproduced in full below. I’m curious what our readers think of it, and of the government’s role in nutritional issues, given the link between nutrition and health: Institute Calls for Civil Disobedience on National Donut Day As Government Meddling in Nutritional Issues Mounts, CEI Advises, “Eat Two Donuts Today—One for Yourself, and One for Your Freedom” Washington, D.C., June 4, 2010 — The Competitive Enterprise Institute today urged Americans to turn National Donut Day into a day of protest against growing government intrusion into nutritional issues. CEI urged people to eat two donuts — “one for yourself, and one as an act of patriotic civil disobedience.�... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3635744 Mon, 07 Jun 2010 12:00:00 +0100 3635744 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3635746&cid=t_207766_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fis-red-meat-hazardous-to-your-health%2F2010.06.06 Red meat consumption has been linked to diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and several types of cancer (breast, colorectal, stomach, bladder, prostate, and lymphoma). There are plausible mechanisms: Meat is a source of carcinogens, iron that may increase oxidative damage, and saturated fat. But correlation and plausibility are not enough to establish causation. Is red meat really dangerous? If so, how great is the risk? A couple of recent studies have tried to shed light on these questions, but they have raised more questions than they have answered. (more…) *This blog post was originally published at Science-Based Medicine* (Source: Better Health) Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3635746 Sun, 06 Jun 2010 16:00:39 +0100 3635746 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3603591&cid=t_207766_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Forganic-food-is-it-better-for-you%2F2010.05.27 In 1952 Martin Gardner, who just passed away this week at the age of 95, wrote about organic farming in his book Fads and Fallacies in the Name of Science. He characterized it as a food fad without scientific justification. Now, 58 years later, the science has not changed much at all. A recent review of the literature of the last 50 years shows that there is no evidence for health benefits from eating an organic diet. The only exception to this was evidence for a lower risk of eczema in children eating organic dairy products. But with so many potential correlations to look for, this can just be noise in the data. Another important conclusion of this systematic review is the paucity of good research into organic food –- they identified only 12 relevant trials. So while there is a lack of ... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3603591 Thu, 27 May 2010 12:00:08 +0100 3603591 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3592212&cid=t_207766_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fan-eaters-guide-to-food%2F2010.05.23 Michael Pollan has become one of our most important writers about human nutrition. His book, The Omnivore’s Dilemma (2006), spelled out why the almost eight billion humans on this planet had better balance what we eat – for our own health and the health of the planet. He published a small book in 2009 (Penguin Books) called Food Rules: An Eater’s Manual. His rules are around seven words in three brief statements: “Eat Food, Not Too Much, Mostly Plants.” How simple and wise is that? These three statements make up the three parts of this small book, with lots of practical “rules.” (more…) *This blog post was originally published at eDocAmerica* (Source: Better Health) Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3592212 Sun, 23 May 2010 14:00:00 +0100 3592212 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3588868&cid=t_207766_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fsecondhand-carbs%2F2010.05.21 From the medical cartoons of Randy Glasbergen: (Source: Better Health) Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3588868 Fri, 21 May 2010 14:00:31 +0100 3588868 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3581560&cid=t_207766_86_f&fid=36669&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffadelibrary.wordpress.com%2F2010%2F05%2F19%2Fthe-third-evaluation-of-the-school-fruit-and-vegetable-scheme%2F Title: The Third Evaluation of the School Fruit and Vegetable Scheme (Executive Summary) Skinny: Aims to explore the longer-term impact of the School Fruit and Vegetable Scheme.  Data, collected in 2008, has been compared with that gathered in the earlier evaluations in order to compare findings over this period Publisher: DH Size of Publication: 109p. Published: 22/03/2010 Filed under: Diet, Dietetics, Education, Grey Literature, Local Authorities, Nutrition Tagged: Diet, Grey Literature, Nutrition, Research, Schools (Source: Fade Library) Fade Library blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3581560 Wed, 19 May 2010 19:17:33 +0100 3581560 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3569807&cid=t_207766_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fsedating-yourself-with-food-why%2F2010.05.16 Dr. Whoo and I seem to be in the same place at the same time — we both struggle with our weight because we’re using food for something other than sustenance. We use it to manage stress. Overeating is, after all, a wonderful sedative. It soothes the savage beast and all that. And it really works. I’ve probably saved my marriage and my job and kept from killing my kids and my husband by sedating myself with food. (more…) *This blog post was originally published at The Blog that Ate Manhattan* (Source: Better Health) Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3569807 Sun, 16 May 2010 16:00:00 +0100 3569807 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3567890&cid=t_207766_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fa-robot-to-talk-you-through-your-diet%2F2010.05.15 Agence France-Presse (AFP) is reporting that a new robot, designed to help people lose the pounds, will soon be available on the U.S. market. The Autom from Intuitive Automata was designed to act like a personal coach, talking you through a personalized diet and helping you to stick with it. (more…) *This blog post was originally published at Medgadget* (Source: Better Health) Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3567890 Sat, 15 May 2010 22:00:16 +0100 3567890 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3567891&cid=t_207766_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fhow-to-lower-your-cholesterol%2F2010.05.15 Your doctor has just informed you that you have “hyperlipidemia” – or high cholesterol. She’s mentioning lipid-lowering drugs (statins), but you said you want to try some things on your own first. She agrees and will recheck your blood levels in three months. What are you going to do? The advice is all over the map and your Google searches come up with various supplements and diets that are confusing and overwhelming. Here are some specific recommendations, based on evidence, that can help you lower your cholesterol. (more…) *This blog post was originally published at EverythingHealth* (Source: Better Health) Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3567891 Sat, 15 May 2010 18:00:00 +0100 3567891 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3545439&cid=t_207766_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fwhich-diet-fits-your-genes%2F2010.05.08 Why do some diets work better than others? Why can your best friend lose 10 pounds with a low-carb diet and your weight just hovers? Why can some people eat just about everything and still stay skinny? It’s all in the genes.  Mindy Dopler Nelson, Ph.D., of Stanford University reported the results of her study at the American Heart Associate Conference. She found that a single nuceotide polymorphism caused women to loose five times as much weight on the Atkins diet compared with women who didn’t have the gene. (more…) *This blog post was originally published at EverythingHealth* (Source: Better Health) Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3545439 Sat, 08 May 2010 16:00:00 +0100 3545439 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3526742&cid=t_207766_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fhealth-and-life-insurance-companies-invested-in-fast-food%2F2010.05.03 A new article published in the American Journal of Public Health shows that U.S., Canadian, and European insurance firms hold $1.88 billion of investments in fast food companies like Jack in the Box, McDonald’s, Burger King and Wendy’s/Arby’s Groups. Both health insurers and life insurers have substantial holdings in these companies. A person just needs to read “Fast Food Nation” or watch the documentary “Food, Inc.” to understand the negative impact of processed foods on the health of our country. The evidence is so compelling that the new health reform legislation is requiring fast food and chain restaurants to disclose calorie counts on their menus. Ironically, the new legislation will also add millions of customers to the health insurers. (mo... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3526742 Mon, 03 May 2010 14:00:00 +0100 3526742 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3524111&cid=t_207766_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2F4-super-healthy-foods%2F2010.05.02 Raise your hand if you want to eat healthy. Healthy eating isn’t just good for cinching your waistline — it’s great for overall health. From glowing skin, to heart health, to maintaining healthy teeth and bones; eating foods packed with certain nutrients can also protect your immune system and fight infections.  It can boost your libido and decrease that lousy (LDL) cholesterol and boost your good (HDL) cholesterol. Healthy eating shouldn’t be a struggle. It’s easy to get sucked into the marketing trap when you’re food shopping and you encounter all those in-store specials. Sometimes, those specials are just bad for your health. (more…) *This blog post was originally published at Health in 30* (Source: Better Health) Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3524111 Sun, 02 May 2010 12:00:50 +0100 3524111 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3524115&cid=t_207766_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fmcdonald%25e2%2580%2599s-vs-dash-two-days-two-diets%2F2010.05.01 This week I’ve been trying to eat according to the DASH guidelines for lowering blood pressure. It actually hasn’t been too difficult — partly because I’m not following their strictest guidelines, which call for just 1,300 milligrams of sodium and 16 grams of saturated fat a day. I’ve been shooting for 2,300 milligrams of sodium and 22 grams of saturated fat. In 2003, I tried a somewhat different “diet,” which in some ways was more difficult to follow, even though it only lasted one day. My son Jim (then age 11) and I ate every meal at McDonald’s for an entire day (yes, this was before Super Size Me). We recorded the experience on the Web. I thought it would be interesting to compare my day at McDonald’s to a typical day on DASH. (more…) *This blog p... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3524115 Sat, 01 May 2010 16:00:38 +0100 3524115 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3346410&cid=t_207766_86_f&fid=36669&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffadelibrary.wordpress.com%2F2010%2F03%2F09%2Fndns-headline-results-from-year-1-of-the-rolling-programme-20082009%2F Title: The Social Determinants of Health and the Role of Local Government Skinny: Report on food consumption and nutrient intakes for adults aged 19 to 64 years and for children aged 18 months to 3 years, 4 to 10 years and 11 to 18 years. The key findings of the survey are: People are eating less saturated fat, trans fat and added sugar than they were 10 years ago, when the survey was last carried out. Saturated fat intakes in adults have dropped slightly to 12.8% of food energy, but are still above the recommended level of 11%. Whereas, the population’s trans fat intakes, having also fallen slightly, are well within recommended levels. People are still eating too much added sugar, currently 12.5% of food energy intake compared to the recommended 11%. A third of men and women are now ea... Fade Library blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3346410 Tue, 09 Mar 2010 04:00:55 +0100 3346410 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3142475&cid=t_207766_86_f&fid=36669&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffadelibrary.wordpress.com%2F2010%2F01%2F05%2Fa-decade-of-hospital-food-failure-a-review-of-ten-years%25e2%2580%2599-of-failed-voluntary-initiatives-to-improve-hospital-food%2F Title: A decade of hospital food failure: A review of ten years’ of failed voluntary initiatives to improve hospital food The Skinny: Report from  the  Sustain: Good Food For Our Money campaign critical of the Government’s refusal to introduce legal standards to improve the quality, healthiness and environmental benefits of hospital food, despite repeatedly assuring the public that healthy and sustainable hospital food is a top priority, particularly in helping support patient recovery.  Failed schemes identified include: The £40m Better Hospital Food Initiative: Launched in 2001 to improve the quality of hospital food. Scrapped in 2006 after poor take-up. The £10m NHS Plan: Launched 2000, partly to improve nutrition in hospitals. By 2009, a survey of 400 healthcare professionals... Fade Library blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3142475 Tue, 05 Jan 2010 09:54:50 +0100 3142475 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1894828&cid=t_207766_86_f&fid=36669&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffadelibrary.wordpress.com%2F2008%2F10%2F21%2Fself-referral-pilots-to-musculoskeletal-physiotherapy-and-the-implications-for-improving-access-to-other-ahp-services%2F Self-referral pilots to musculoskeletal physiotherapy and the implications for improving access to other AHP services is a report on work to explore the impact of opening up access to musculoskeletal physiotherapy through self-referral where it had not previously been part of usual service provision. The report also considers the implications for access to other allied health professions services. Findings highlight benefi ts to patients and services. Also produced today Framing the contribution of allied health professionals which is a document to frame the Next Stage Review for allied health professionals and describe the improved AHP service offer to patients and the public. You can read what the papers had to say about this here. Posted in Access, Allied Health Professionals, Dieteti... Fade Library blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1894828 Tue, 21 Oct 2008 15:36:22 +0100 1894828