Environmental Nutrition

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Research Roundup

Subscribers Only •Drinking coffee may keep Parkinson’s disease at bay •High blood levels of selenium are associated with a reduced risk of abnormal cell growth in the colon and rectum •Obesity may increase the risk of atrial fibrillation (AF), the most common type of abnormal heart rhythm, according to a large study out of Framingham, Massachusetts.

Portion-Control Your Own Snacks

Subscribers Only Nabisco has introduced five single-portion, calorie-controlled bags of snacks: Wheat Thins Minis, Chips Ahoy Thin Crisps, Cheese Nips Thin Crisps, Oreo Thin Crisps and Mixed Berry Fruit Snacks . Each bag contains a pre-portioned 100 calories. They boast zero trans fat to boot. But why not pre-portion your own snacks?

Tasty Smart Chews Offer Another Cholesterol-Lowering Option

Subscribers Only The Buzz : According to McNeil Nutritionals, the makers of Benecol spreads, Smart Chews , a new chewable dietary supplement, is “proven to significantly reduce cholesterol.” The Basics : Benecol Smart Chews contain plant stanols, natural substances that help lower “bad” low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol.

Three Cautionary Tales Concerning Sprouts, Airplane Water and Nonstick Cookware

Subscribers Only Eating raw or lightly cooked sprouts may still make you sick; so may the water on airplanes. And the EPA has warned the maker of Teflon that it may be dangerous to humans and the environment.

A Closer Look at Whether
Two Calcium Supplements
Make the Grade

Subscribers Only Q . You recently compared several different brands of calcium-containing bone supplements, but you didn’t mention Os-Cal or Citracal . Aren’t these good sources of supplemental calcium? A . Yes, they are. Os-Cal and Citracal , both leading brands of calcium supplements, differ in their sources of calcium and cost. Os-Cal, which comes from oyster shells, costs a little less than Citracal, which is made from calcium citrate.

Preventing Gallstones: Lose Weight, But Eat Some Fat

Subscribers Only Q . A friend recently had her gallbladder removed because of gallstones. How can I avoid a similar problem? A . It’s smart to think about prevention, because an estimated 20 million Americans either have gallstones or have had their gallbladders removed. Yet most people who have gallstones—solid clumps made mostly of cholesterol—don’t even know they have them.

Grapefruit Teases Your Taste Buds In an Impressive Nutrition Package

Subscribers Only The Folklore : Grapefruit first appeared in the West Indies in the 1700’s, probably the result of a serendipitous cross between a pomelo and an orange. The Findings: Grapefruit provides pectin, a cholesterol-lowering, soluble fiber found in the membrane. The red and pink varieties are good sources of lycopene and beta-carotene, which may help fight cancer and heart disease.

What You Should Know About Using Your Microwave Safely

Subscribers Only Forget that you probably use it more to defrost foods and reheat leftovers than to prepare meals— a microwave oven is still a must-have kitchen appliance. But how safe is your microwave and the cookware you use with it?

Whole Grains Gain Momentum, Go Mainstream With More Healthful Options

Subscribers Only It’s taken a few years, but the tides are finally turning. Whole grains, packed with good nutrition, are gaining long overdue recognition and respect. While much of the food industry has recently spent way too much effort taking carbs out of products, others have engineered ways to put healthful whole grains back in.

EN Helps You Find A Weight-Loss Program
To Fit Your Style

Subscribers Only If dropping holiday pounds is on your “to do” list for the new year, look for help from weight-loss programs. Opting to simply cut carbohydrates may help you lose weight initially, but it does not guarantee you’ll keep those pounds off. What does? Finding a weight-loss strategy that fits your lifestyle and dieting personality.

Trans Fats May Trigger Inflammation

Subscribers Only High levels of trans fatty acids in the blood translate into increased risk for inflammation in heart patients. That’s what Harvard researchers found when they measured the levels of trans fatty acids in the red blood cells of 86 patients with chronic heart failure.