Environmental Nutrition

World Experts Nix Sugar, Tackle Health Issues

Subscribers Only Six chronic diseases considered the greatest public health problems worldwide—cancer, cardiovascular disease, dental disease, diabetes, obesity and osteoporosis—were the focus of a report released last month by 30 international experts in health and nutrition. It was commissioned by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) to make recommendations to reduce rising rates of largely preventable diseases. The Upshot? Nutrition should be at the forefront of public health policies,

Cancer News to Use

Subscribers Only Frequent fish consumption may help fend off prostate cancer, especially metastatic cancer, according to data from nearly 48,000 men. Those who ate fish four or more times a week were significantly less likely to develop prostate cancer over 12 years than men who ate less fish. Moreover, men who ate that much fish had 44% less likelihood that the cancer would spread than those who ate fish less than twice a month. The

Mediterranean Diet of Greek Islands May Aid Joints

Subscribers Only A traditional Mediterranean diet is not only good for your heart, it may also ease the aches and limitations of rheumatoid arthritis. So suggests a new study from Umeå University in Sweden that followed 51 people with active disease for three months. The findings appear in the March Annals of Rheumatic Diseases. The Set Up. Half the participants followed a Mediterranean diet (MD) typical of Crete and other Greek islands—high in fruits, vegetables,

Diet Pills Not Best Use of Tea Compound

Subscribers Only The Buzz: One A Day WeightSmart is "specially formulated with EGCG (green tea extract)." GNC’s Total Lean contains black tea extract and claims it "boosts energy and metabolism." Xenedrine EFX boasts it "floats fat right out of your body" and contains a host of ingredients, including—you guessed it—EGCG. What’s going on here? The Basics: Black, green and oolong tea are all derived from the leaves of the same plant, Camellia sinensis. Owing to

When Reaching for Rice, Make It Whole Grain

Subscribers Only For many Americans, the phrase "amber waves of grain" conjures up visions of swaying wheat or corn— traditional American symbols. But as America’s tastes and demographics change, rice is rising in the ranks of popularity, be it as red beans and rice, paella, risotto, curried rice or fried rice. Is this a nutritional step forward? Perhaps not, as the rice of choice for most Americans is plain white rice, a refined food like

Those With Diabetes May Benefit From Daily Multi

Subscribers Only A simple daily multivitamin/mineral supplement may dramatically reduce infections in people with diabetes, according to a North Carolina study. Researchers randomly assigned 130 middle-aged adults—one-third with type 2 diabetes—to take either a daily multi (similar to many commercial brands) or a placebo for 12 months. By study’s end, participants without diabetes reported a similar rate of colds, flu-like syndromes and other minor infectious illnesses, whether they took the multi or placebo. But among

Earth Day Special: Fish Farms: Navigating Murky Waters For Safe, Sustainable Seafood

Subscribers Only Nutritionists, researchers and health organizations—and, yes, EN —keep telling the public to eat more fish. Research suggests that the omega-3 fatty acids in fish help combat a myriad of diseases (see "Why Eat Fish?," ). And the American Heart Association now recommends at least two servings of fish a week to protect against cardiovascular disease (see EN , January 2003 and March 2003). But if all six billion people worldwide heeded that advice, would there

Sweet Beets for Flavor, Folate, Fiber

Subscribers Only The Folklore: The modern beet plant is a descendant of a white beet native to the Mediterranean. In ancient times, however, only the green tops were eaten; the roots were used to treat toothaches, headaches and fight fever. Russian peasants and fine ladies alike reportedly used red beets as rouge to both attract suitors and keep insects away. The Facts: Beets are sweet, being related to sugar beets, a source of table sugar.

Depending on Dose, the B Vitamin Niacin Doubles as Heart Drug

Subscribers Only Q . I’ve heard that niacin is sometimes prescribed as a drug to help lower cholesterol. Isn’t it also a vitamin? A . Yes, it is both a vitamin and a drug. The difference is in the dose.

Whole-Grain and Trans-Free Crackers: Seek and You'll Find...a Few

Subscribers Only Q . In your December 2002 issue, you talked about the merits of eating whole grains. I found whole-grain bread and cereal easily, but I can’t find whole-grain crackers that don’t contain hydrogenated oils. Any suggestions? A . As you’ve already discovered, crackers that contain the good stuff (whole grains and fiber) often come coupled with bad stuff (trans fats from hydrogenated oils), especially brands found in the typical supermarket. Both Triscuits and Carr’s Whole

Heading Off Headaches: Diet And Lifestyle May Help Or Not

Subscribers Only Who among us is headache-free? Precious few. Thankfully, most headaches are minor irritations, products of a lousy day, eye strain, fatigue or other temporary stress that fades with relaxation or pain relievers. For 45 million Americans, however, recurring headaches are a major pain, costing the economy up to $50 billion annually in absenteeism and medical expenses, according to the National Headache Foundation (NHF). The good news: If you’re prone to frequent headaches, changing