Environmental Nutrition

View or print a copy of this entire issue of Environmental Nutrition

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Research Roundup

Subscribers Only •A vitamin B12 deficiency may accelerate bone loss in older women. •Higher blood levels of the antioxidant vitamin E may predict better physical performance in older people. •Gaining weight after age 18 may increase the risk of breast cancer in women not taking hormone replacement therapy.

How to Protect Healthful Antioxidants in Olive Oil

Subscribers Only Olive oil not only contains heart-healthy monounsaturated fats, it’s also an unappreciated source of antioxidants, such as phenols and chlorophyll, which may confer additional disease protection. However, proper storage is key for keeping these healthy phytonutrients intact for as long as possible.

Having it Their Way or the Healthy Way: What's on Hospital Menus?

Subscribers Only Hospitals are viewed as bastions of health, where staff work around the clock to treat illness and prevent disease. But hospitals don’t always practice what they preach. Many hospitals are sending an unhealthy message to visitors, staff and patients alike with the food and beverages they offer.

Calories Eaten in A.M. Affect Appetite in P.M.

Subscribers Only Too many of us skip breakfast, grab a quick lunch and then more than make up for it at dinner—precisely the pattern that new research suggests may cause you to overeat.

Walnuts Prove Potent for Heart Protection

Subscribers Only A recent study from the Lipid Clinic at the Hospital Clinic of Barcelona suggests that walnuts protect the heart by doing more than just lowering cholesterol.

Can You Count on Kosher Meat to Be Safe From Mad Cow Disease?

Subscribers Only Q . I’m thinking of buying kosher meat, because I was told there is less risk of it being infected with the organism that causes mad cow disease. Is this true? A . Possibly, but there are no guarantees. There are several practices unique to the selection and slaughter of cattle for kosher processing and preparation that may indeed reduce the likelihood that the animals will carry mad cow disease.

Despite Concerns, Weight of Evidence Backs Chromium’s Safety

Subscribers Only Q . I keep reading that chromium supplements might be harmful. However, you’ve said that they are safe. Which is it? A . After EN attended a summit of chromium researchers last spring, we reported that the consensus among experts was that chromium picolinate was safe. The study that spawned much of the negative news you’ve heard was released just prior to the summit. That study, however, was conducted in fruit flies.

Grapes Give You a Grab Bag of Phytonutrients to Fight Cancer and Heart Disease

Subscribers Only The Folklore : Cultivated throughout the Mediterranean region for centuries, grapes (Vitis vinifera) were brought to the New World in the 18th century by Spanish explorers. In the 19th century, John Harvey Kellogg, M.D., of cereal fame, prescribed 10 to 14 pounds of grapes daily as a remedy for high blood pressure. The Facts : Once thought of as offering little more than sugar and water in the way of nutrition, grapes are now respected for their phytonutrients.

High-Fiber, Low-Carb or Sugar-Free Slices: Which Breads Are the Best?

Subscribers Only There’s good news and bad news, as the cliché goes. The good news is that there are more high-fiber, whole-grain bread choices today than ever before in supermarket aisles. The bad news is that with so many breads on the shelf, including the new crop of carb-counting breads, choosing the most healthful bread has become an even tougher task.

Healthful Meals on the Fly: The New Face of Airport Food

Subscribers Only As the food on commercial airline flights has gotten skimpier (and in many cases disappeared altogether), the quality of airport terminal food has ironically gotten better. A recent survey of the 15 busiest airports in the U.S found it’s easier than ever to find lighter, more healthful fare while waiting for your flight to finally take off.

Healthy Gums Protect Your Heart and Lungs as Well as Your Teeth

Subscribers Only An attractive smile is more than a reflection of your mood; it’s often a reflection of your health as well. The connection between oral health and general well-being is especially apparent in the case of gum disease. Experts now believe that it can contribute to heart disease, stroke and even respiratory diseases.

Research Still Suggests Vitamin E May Boost Immunity and Benefit Brain

Subscribers Only Vitamin E has had its share of ups and downs. Over the years, it has gone from being called a vitamin without a clear need, to a cure-all for everything from heart disease to cancer, to the current state of negative research that has experts questioning past results. But the roller coaster ride isn’t over just yet. While it’s tough to tell what’s around the next curve, here’s a look at what we know and what we have yet to learn about vitamin E.

High Insulin Levels Increase Risk For Colorectal Cancer

Subscribers Only In a study just published, men with elevated blood levels of C-peptide, a hormone that reflects insulin levels in the body, had significantly increased risk of colorectal cancer, the second most deadly type of cancer.